Successful treatment of nail lichen planus with alitretinoin: Report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Background: Treatment of nail lichen planus (LP) is difficult and an optimal therapy is lacking. Objective: To report additional cases to the scant existing literature to learn more about therapeutic options for nail LP. Methods: A regimen of 30 mg alitretinoin daily in 2 cases of nail LP over a period of 9 and 8 months, respectively. Results: In either case, nail changes showed marked improvement under oral alitretinoin therapy within 2 and 4 months, respectively. In both patients, affected nails with end-stage destructive pterygium were resistant to any previously applied therapy. Conclusion: Alitretinoin is an effective treatment option for nail LP. We recommend early diagnosis of nail LP and early initiation of systemic therapy with alitretinoin to prevent the development of pterygium and permanent nail damage. However, further clinical studies are needed to establish reliable guidelines for nail LP therapy.