Ongoing blistering in a boy with congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis healing with reticulated supple scarring

Abstract

Congenital erosive and vesicular dermatosis healing with reticulated supple scarring is a rare entity presenting in the newborn with crusted erosions and vesicles that heal relatively rapidly, forming unique reticulated scars. A 9-year-old boy presented with a diagnosis of junctional epidermolysis bullosa, but displayed this characteristic scarring pattern and very mild ongoing blistering. In addition, he had severe chronic conjunctivitis due to cicatricial alopecia of the eyelashes and lacrimal duct obstruction. He had no evidence of enamel defects or other features of junctional epidermolysis bullosa. Ultrastructural analysis of his skin biopsy specimens showed a normal dermoepidermal junction. This characteristic scarring disorder may be associated with mild ongoing blistering and must be distinguished from other congenital blistering disorders. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:946-8.)