Abstract
Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is an acquired skin condition that manifests in early childhood and adolescence. It likely represents a form of cutaneous mosaicism that presents with linear, hyperpigmented and atrophic lesions appearing on the trunk and limbs. Its clinical appearance varies and may closely resemble that of atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) and linear scleroderma. LAM usually follows a benign course and no effective treatment options exist. We present a case of a young and healthy patient that developed such lesions on her upper and lower extremities over 5 years. The initial clinical impression of linear scleroderma was reviewed in favor of LAM following histological examination of the lesions which revealed no significant inflammatory changes. LAM remains a rare and possibly under recognized entity with reports confined only to the dermatologic literature. This case highlights the importance of recognizing LAM and distinguishing it from linear scleroderma given the significant differences in management and prognosis.
Highlights
In 1992, Moulin et al were the first to describe a seemingly unidentified entity characterized by the presence of hyperpigmented and atrophic band-like lesions that closely followed Blaschko’s lines [1]
Several additional cases of Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) have been reported in the dermatologic literature and have expanded upon the original definition proposed by Moulin et al In general LAM lesions develop in childhood or adolescence, and demonstrate a pattern of cutaneous distribution, atrophy and hyperpigmentation that resemble those observed in linear scleroderma
Linear atrophoderma of Moulin and linear scleroderma as well as atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini were considered in the differential diagnosis
Summary
In 1992, Moulin et al were the first to describe a seemingly unidentified entity characterized by the presence of hyperpigmented and atrophic band-like lesions that closely followed Blaschko’s lines [1]. Case presentation A 10 year old girl initially presented to our dermatology clinic with an 8 month history of skin lesions developing on her right upper limb. Non-sclerotic and band-like hyperpigmented plaques on her right forearm and upper arm. At 15 years of age the lesions had coalesced to form band like hyperpigmented atrophic plaques with prominent veins and clear margins on her forearm, upper arm, shoulder and right inner thigh (Fig. 1). Correlating the clinical picture with the histological examination, a diagnosis of LAM was re-established
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