Lichen simplex chronicus on the scalp: exuberant clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological findings^*

Abstract:

Lichen simplex chronicus is a skin disease that mostly affects female patients, with a peak incidence between ages 35 and 50 years. On the scalp, it appears as a single or multiple oval lesions, showing scaling and hair shaft loss or breakage. An important dermoscopic feature of the disease are the "broom fibers." Histopathology reveals the "hamburger" and the "gear wheel" signs. The aim of this report is to demonstrate a case of lichen simplex chronicus on the scalp with typical and exuberant clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological findings.

Keywords:
Dermoscopy; Lichen; Scalp; Scalp dermatoses

INTRODUCTION

Lichen simplex chronicus is a cutaneous disorder characterized by lichenification of the skin as a result of intense excoriation secondary to excessive primary pruritus, becoming a self-perpetuating mechanism.^1,2 It mostly affects female patients, with a peak incidence between ages 35 and 50 years. On the skin, it presents itself as a thickened and hyperpigmented lichenoid plaque. It mainly affects the cervical region, ankles, scalp, vulva, scrotum, and extensor region of the upper limbs.¹ On the scalp, it manifests itself as a single or multiple oval lesions, with scaling, causing hair loss or breakage.³

Dermoscopy can show erythema and perifollicular scaling associated with hair shaft breakage.³ Histopathological examination of the scalp lesion reveals a preservation of the follicle architecture, with normal number of terminal follicles, but with a decrease in size and number of sebaceous glands. Characteristic features of dermatosis are present, and are reported below.^1,3

CASE REPORT

A 75-year-old female patient, retired, born in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, but coming from the State of São Paulo, presented with a 10-year history of pruritus on the scalp that started to worsen two years before. She reported using antihypertensive and timolol eye drops and denied depression, anxiety, or other psychoses.

On physical examination, we observed two well-delimited hair rarefaction areas on the scalp, "broom fibers" displaying a tonsure pattern, polithychia, and moderate perifollicular desquamation in the left parietal-occipital and parietal regions (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Well-delimited hair rarefaction area on the scalp, "broom fibers" displaying a tonsure pattern, politrychia, and moderate perifollicular scaling

Dermoscopy revealed erythema and desquamation, mainly perifollicular, as well as tonsure hair pattern in the proximal or distal parts of the shafts in both plaques (Figure 2). Anatomopathological examination of the scalp lesion revealed 28 hair follicles, 6 vellus hairs, and 22 terminal and intermediate hairs, as well as follicles with 2 or more hair shafts, preserved follicular epithelium, and absence of inflammatory infiltrate. The examination also revealed, in the infundibular ostium, hyperkeratosis with hairs split into two segments by a layer of red blood cells, as well as jagged acanthotic projections emerging from the outer root sheath (Figures 3 to 6).

Figure 2
Dermoscopy: erythema, perifollicular desquamation, and tonsure pattern

Figure 3
Hamburger sign: hyperkeratosis with hairs split into two segments by a layer of red blood cells (Hematoxylin & eosin, X40)

Figure 4
Hamburger sign at a higher magnification (Hematoxylin & eosin, X400)

Figure 5
Gear wheel sign: outer root sheath forms acanthotic jagged projections (Hematoxylin & eosin, X40)

Figure 6
Hamburger sign and gear wheel sign (Hematoxylin & eosin, X40)

After the diagnosis of lichen simplex chronicus, we opted for the use of occlusive topical clobetasol. After three months, we observed a significant symptom improvement with relief of pruritus and consequent cessation of repetitive trauma.

DISCUSSION

The scalp is one of the regions most affected by lichen simplex chronicus. Clinically, the main difference of this location to the rest of the body is marked by accentuated scaling, which is sometimes so sticking to hide the underlying erythema. Another difference is asymmetry, unlike lesions located on other parts of the body.⁴ Our patient presented with oval-shaped asymmetrical lesions with moderate desquamation.

Dermoscopy of an unaltered scalp shows uniform shafts in shape and color, with growth of 1-4 hairs per follicular unit.⁵ Dermoscopy of a scalp affected by lichen simplex chronicus shows erythema and scaling associated with shaft breakage, revealing two patterns: short hairs emerging as a single shaft from a follicular opening, with a proximal breakage at the level of the scalp surface into two or three shafts; or also with additional breakage at the distal end of the hair. Such an abnormality is described as "broom fibers."³ The present report revealed broom fibers as well as erythema and perifollicular desquamation. Usual histopathological features of lichen simplex chronicus include epidermal hyperplasia, orthokeratosis, and hypergranulosus with regular lengthening of the papillary ridges. A perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes and eventually macrophages is also commonly observed.¹ Histopathological features of the scalp lesion include preservation of follicle architecture, with a normal number of terminal follicles, but with a decrease in size and number of sebaceous glands. At the infundibulum level, the outer root sheath forms acanthotic jagged projections, termed "gear wheels." The infundibular ostium shows hyperkeratosis with hair shaft split into two segments by a layer of erythrocytes, called the "hamburger sign".³ In the present case, as described in the literature, we observed no change in the number of follicles or inflammatory infiltrate, with the presence of the characteristic signs described here. We also observed follicles with two or more hair shafts, which clinically manifested themselves as politrychia.

Trichotillomania may be a differential diagnosis since the "hamburger sign" in histopathology and the "broom sign" in dermoscopy are common features to both diseases. However, this disorder can be distinguished from lichen simplex chronicus for its broken hairs with different shaft lengths - termed sparse black and yellow dots - and rarely causes erythema and pruritus on the scalp.^3,6

The goal of treatment of lichen simplex chronicus is to interrupt the process that causes pruritus and excoriation. High-potency topical or intralesional corticosteroids usually present satisfactory responses. Capsaicin topical and tacrolimus are also used. Psychotherapy is recommended as an adjuvant treatment.^1,2 Our patient showed significant symptom improvement after three months of use of occlusive topical clobetasol.

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate a case of lichen simplex chronicus on the scalp with typical and exuberant clinical, dermoscopic, and histopathological findings.

• *
  Work performed at the Dermatology Department of the Universidade de Santo Amaro (UNISA) - Santo Amaro (SP), Brazil.
• Financial support: None.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Ambika H, Vinod CS, Sushmita J. A Case of Neurodermatitis Circumscipta of Scalp Presenting as Patchy Alopecia. Int J Trichology. 2013;5:94-6.
• ²
  Lotti T, Buggiani G, Prignano F. Prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex cronicus. Dermatol Ther. 2008;21:42-6.
• ³
  Quaresma MV, Mariño Alvarez AM, Miteva M. Dermatoscopic-pathologic correlation of lichen simplex chronicus on the scalp: 'broom fibres, gear wheels and hamburgers'. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30:343-5.
• ⁴
  Stillians AW. Lichen simplex of scalp. Arch Derm Syphilol. 1926;13:819-21.
• ⁵
  Miteva M, Tosti A. Dermatoscopy of hair shaft disorders. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:473-81.
• ⁶
  Royer MC, Sperling LC. Splitting hairs: the "hamburger sign" in trichotillomania. J Cutan Pathol. 2006;33:63-4.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  Jan-Feb 2018

History

• Received
  27 Sept 2016
• Accepted
  14 Mar 2017