Lichen aureus induced by an insect bite

Emad Bahashwan

doi:10.7241/ourd.20221.17

Abstract

Lichen aureus is an uncommon variant of pigmented purpura and presents itself with a chronic and benign course. Clinically, lichen aureus cases are asymptomatic and are found in the lower limbs, presenting themselves as erythematous, brownish or golden macules and/or papules. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and histopathological findings. The prognosis of lichen aureus is generally good. A 34-year-old Filipino male presented himself with a single itchy skin lesion on the right leg present for three months. The lesion started as a small, round, reddish to brownish area and then increased in size over time. A history of an insect bite on the same site was reported. An examination revealed a single annular, golden to brownish macule on the right leg. Based on this clinical and histopathological feature, the skin lesion was diagnosed as lichen aureus. The comprehension of the pathogenesis of lichen aureus is essential for knowing its risk factors.

Highlights

Lichen aureus is a rare, clinical condition of the skin of unknown etiology. This skin condition belongs to the group of pigmented purpuric dermatoses, together with Schamberg pigmented purpura, Gougerot–Blum disease, Schamberg disease, purpura annularis telangiectodes (Majocchi’s disease), lichen aureus, eczematid-like purpura of Doucas and Kapetanakis, and pigmented purpuric lichenoid dermatosis of Gougerot and Blum [1]
The histopathology of lichen aureus is characterized by chronic lymphocytic vasculitis with lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration with extravasated red blood cells (RBCs) in the early stage or hemosiderin deposition in the late stage
An increase in the number of small blood vessels in the lichenoid infiltration, extravasated RBCs in the papillary dermis, and chronic endothelial injuries were found (Figs. 3a and 3b). Based on this clinical and histopathological feature, the skin lesion was diagnosed as lichen aureus

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Lichen aureus is a rare, clinical condition of the skin of unknown etiology. The histopathology of lichen aureus is characterized by chronic lymphocytic vasculitis with lichenoid lymphocytic infiltration with extravasated red blood cells (RBCs) in the early stage or hemosiderin deposition in the late stage. An increase in the number of blood vessels in the lichenoid infiltration distinguishes lichen aureus from the other variants of pigmented purpuric dermatosis [2]. An increase in the number of small blood vessels in the lichenoid infiltration, extravasated RBCs in the papillary dermis, and chronic endothelial injuries were found

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION