Lichen Nitidus - DermAtlas - Dermatology Image Atlas

Contributor

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

Diagnosis

lichen nitidus

Body Site

abdomen

Age

19 years

Pigmentation

light

Organization

grouped, clustered

Color

skin color

Morphology

papule

Pattern

localized

Comments

While not a classic anatomic site (usually extremities and genitals), the histology here is great for lichen nitidus. The discrete lymphohistiocytic ball in the papillary dermis with epidermal collarette yields the textbook "ball-in-claw" appearance. Lichen nitidus is an idiopathic eruption.

Description

There is a nodule of inflammation within the papillary dermis. It fills the papilla forming an epidermal collarette. The epidermal change is minimal. There is no deep component. The infiltrate consists of a mixture of lymphocytes and histiocytes.

Image Added

11/25/2006 16:38:09

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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