BACKGROUND: Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease with a predilection of the anogenital region. Because of the potential side effects of repeated local application of potent glucocorticosteroids, equally-effective, safer therapeutic options are required, especially in the treatment of children. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We report on the efficacy of twice-daily application of pimecrolimus 1% cream in four prepubertal girls (range of age: 4 to 9 years) who suffered from anogenital lichen sclerosus. After three to four-month treatment, all patients had almost complete clinical remission including relief from itch, pain and inflammation. Only minor improvement was observed for the white sclerotic lesions. No significant side effects have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topical pimecrolimus appears to be an effective and safe treatment for children with anogenital lichen sclerosus. The clinical benefits observed in the four patient presented particularly include relief of pruritus, pain and inflammation. Vehicle-controlled studies on a larger number of patients are now warranted to substantiate our promising findings, and to investigate long-term efficacy and safety of topical pimecrolimus in anogenital lichen sclerosus.
BACKGROUND:Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease with a predilection of the anogenital region. Because of the potential side effects of repeated local application of potent glucocorticosteroids, equally-effective, safer therapeutic options are required, especially in the treatment of children. CASE PRESENTATIONS: We report on the efficacy of twice-daily application of pimecrolimus 1% cream in four prepubertal girls (range of age: 4 to 9 years) who suffered from anogenital lichen sclerosus. After three to four-month treatment, all patients had almost complete clinical remission including relief from itch, pain and inflammation. Only minor improvement was observed for the white sclerotic lesions. No significant side effects have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: Topical pimecrolimus appears to be an effective and safe treatment for children with anogenital lichen sclerosus. The clinical benefits observed in the four patient presented particularly include relief of pruritus, pain and inflammation. Vehicle-controlled studies on a larger number of patients are now warranted to substantiate our promising findings, and to investigate long-term efficacy and safety of topical pimecrolimus in anogenital lichen sclerosus.
Authors: Lawrence F Eichenfield; Anne W Lucky; Mark Boguniewicz; Richard G B Langley; Robert Cherill; Katharine Marshall; Christopher Bush; Michael Graeber Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2002-04 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Alexander Kreuter; Thilo Gambichler; Frank Breuckmann; Frank M Pawlak; Markus Stücker; Armin Bader; Peter Altmeyer; Marcus Freitag Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Till Assmann; Petra Becker-Wegerich; Markus Grewe; Mosaad Megahed; Thomas Ruzicka Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2003-06 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: B R Allen; M Lakhanpaul; A Morris; S Lateo; T Davies; G Scott; M Cardno; M-E Ebelin; P Burtin; T J Stephenson Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2003-11 Impact factor: 3.791