PITYRIASIS LICHENOIDES ET VARIOLIFORMIS ACUTA (HABERMANN)

Abstract

Within the last fifteen years, an apparently unusual condition characterized by papular lesions that show a tendency to crusting, necrosis, hemorrhage and, following the disappearance of the necrotic papules, varioliform scarring and pigmentation, has been described in the European and British literature under the title of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta. The disease was named by Habermann, 1 although it had been described originally by Mucha 2 in 1916. According to Wise and Sulzberger, 3 who have recently added their case to the literature, about forty examples of this condition have been reported. A complete bibliography up to 1928 is given by F. Juliusberg, 4 and a more recent survey of this disorder may be found in a report by Senear and Oliver. 5 The condition affects males predominantly. The lesions show a remarkably uniform distribution, the trunk, mainly on its anterior aspect and the extremities, especially the