Bullous Lichen Planus of the Nails: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may affect the skin, nails, and/or oral mucosa. Bullous lichen planus is a rare variant of lichen planus, which is even less common in the nails. We present a case of nail bullous lichen planus, in a 48-year-old male presenting with a 10-month history of onychodystrophy of all ten fingernails. A longitudinal excision of the left thumbnail was performed, with histopathology consistent with lichen planus with focal transition to bullous lichen planus. He was treated with intralesional triamcinolone injections to the fingernails monthly, with improvements noted after three treatments. Our patient’s nail bullous lichen planus manifested with longitudinal ridging, white-yellow discoloration, onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, and v-shaped nicking. Histopathological findings included classical lichen planus changes, as well as formation of subepidermal bullae, colloid bodies, and extensive inflammatory infiltrate. Increased awareness and high index of suspicion for this condition are necessary, given the often late diagnosis reported in previously published cases.

Keywords

• nail
• nail disease
• nail disorder
• nail inflammatory disease
• nail pathology