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Background: Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a dermatosis that affects children and adolescents characterized by hyperpigmented and atrophic linear lesions following Blaschko lines. So far, less than 50 cases have been published. Therefore, it is a rare entity with unknown etiology and a chronic and self-limited course. Histologically, it is described as hyperpigmentation of the basal layer without the involvement of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. No specific treatment exists currently. Localized scleroderma is a chronic and progressive autoimmune connective tissue disorder that affects the skin and adjacent tissues, characterized by abnormal collagen deposition and alteration in elastic fibers, blood vessels, and annexes. No reports have been published on the coexistence of localized scleroderma and LAM. Case report: We describe the case of an 11-year-old male with a clinical diagnosis of linear scleroderma since 5 years of age. Four years later, the patient developed atrophic and hyperpigmented lesions following Blaschko lines in the posterior trunk. A biopsy of both dermatoses was performed: the trunk showed epidermis with hyperpigmentation of the basal layer, and within the dermis, no alteration in the collagen bundles; the forearm biopsy corroborated scleroderma. Based on the clinical-pathological correlation, LAM coinciding with localized linear scleroderma was diagnosed. Conclusions: LAM is an infrequent entity by itself. Moreover, its coexistence with sclerodermiform syndrome has not been reported in the indexed literature.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a rare dermatosis characterized by a hyperpigmented atrophoderma that follows Blaschko's lines, with onset usually occurring during childhood and adolescence. LAM is an etiologically unknown form of dermal atrophy. It is generally characterized by oval or round atrophic, nonsclerotic, hyperpigmented patches following Blaschko's lines. These patches are usually located on the trunk and the upper and lower extremities. This case study discusses a patient that had the nonclassical form of LAM with the initial lesions presenting as papules.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a rare dermatologic disorder characterized by a hyperpigmented atrophoderma that consistently follows the lines of Blaschko. There are many clinical and histologic similarities between LAM, atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP), and morphea, and whether LAM represents part of a disease spectrum or its own distinct entity is debated. This case of a 16-year-old boy with LAM supports the hypothesis that LAM, APP, and morphea are a spectrum of disorders rather than unique entities. Although the patient's overall clinical picture supports a diagnosis of LAM with hyperpigmented, depressed lesions following the lines of Blaschko and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate on biopsy, the bilateral presentation typical of APP, collagen entrapment of eccrine ducts typical of morphea, and changes in dermal collagen illustrate features spanning all three disorders, suggesting a relationship between these conditions that represents a spectrum of disease. Furthermore, a review of all reported cases of LAM in the literature suggests an evolving definition beyond what Moulin and colleagues originally described, including features related to those of APP and morphea.

We describe a 28-year-old man with linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM), whose serum immunological markers were abnormal (including antinuclear antibody, ribonucleoprotein, immunoglobulin M and anti-SM antibody). In addition, however, a histological analysis identified unexpected connective tissue disease changes in this patient. We speculate that the pathogenesis of LAM is associated with immunity or that LAM itself is a kind of connective tissue disease.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is an acquired skin condition that manifests in early childhood and adolescence. It likely represents a form of cutaneous mosaicism that presents with linear, hyperpigmented and atrophic lesions appearing on the trunk and limbs. Its clinical appearance varies and may closely resemble that of atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) and linear scleroderma. LAM usually follows a benign course and no effective treatment options exist. We present a case of a young and healthy patient that developed such lesions on her upper and lower extremities over 5 years. The initial clinical impression of linear scleroderma was reviewed in favor of LAM following histological examination of the lesions which revealed no significant inflammatory changes. LAM remains a rare and possibly under recognized entity with reports confined only to the dermatologic literature. This case highlights the importance of recognizing LAM and distinguishing it from linear scleroderma given the significant differences in management and prognosis.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin is an acquired rare and self-limited skin condition. It is characterized by atrophic bandlike skin lesions that often show hyperpigmentation and always follow the lines of Blaschko. Usually it begins in childhood or adolescence and there is no evidence of any long term progression. We describe a case of a 21-year-old woman with clinical and histological features of linear atrophoderma of Moulin. The patient was successfully treated with methotrexate 20 mg/week during 6 months with an improvement of skin pigmentation and atrophy. Approximately, 30 cases of linear atrophoderma of Moulin were described in the literature. There is not a proven effective treatment of this dermatosis. High dose penicillin, topical corticosteroids, heparin, and oral potassium aminobenzoate have been used but found to be uneffective. To our knowledge, this is the first case of extensive linear atrophoderma of Moulin treated with methotrexate.

We present a 40-year-old woman with asymptomatic, linear, hyperpigmented atrophic plaques in a Blaschkoid distribution on the right back and right upper extremity that is consistent with a diagnosis of linear atrophoderma of Moulin. Clinical lesions developed with a biphasic pattern in late adolescence and in adulthood. The pathogenesis of this acquired, progressive Blaschkolinear dermatosis may hold insight into the pathogenesis of this rare dermatologic condition, as well as other dermotoses, which include those resulting from post-zygotic genetic mosaicism.

Background: Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a rare clinical entity which was first described by Moulin et al. in 1992. The diagnosis is clinical, characterized by acquired unilateral hyperpigmented, depressed band-like skin lesions following Blaschko's lines. The disease typically affects children or adolescents and has a good prognosis without evidence of long-term progression. To date, the pathophysiology is unclear. Different authors hypothesize that the disease is secondary to a mosaic manifestation as a result of a post-zygotic mutational event. Observations: Four patients (2 men, 2 women) had a history of unilateral band-like skin lesions located on the lower legs (50%) or the trunk (50%). Physical examination showed atrophic and hyperpigmented skin lesions along Blaschko's lines, which appeared during childhood in 3 cases and at the age of 20 in the last case. Lesions had progressed rapidly but seemed to have stabilized so far except for 1 case who presented spontaneous improvement. Histopathological examination revealed a normal epidermis with a hyperpigmented basal layer and a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate in the dermis. Conclusion: LAM is a rare disease with 32 reported cases and remains an exclusion diagnosis. Since the problem is mainly esthetic, treatments should not be too aggressive.

Many different congenital and acquired skin diseases are seen along Blaschko's lines. In 1992, Moulin et al. [40] described five patients affected with a new clinical entity characterized by acquired atrophic band-like skin lesions showing hyperpigmentation. We report on a further patient with this skin disease. Characteristic features are hyperpigmented atrophoderma arranged in a pattern following the lines of Blaschko, with no preceding inflammation and no subsequent induration or scleroderma. The lesions usually appear during childhood or adolescence, but sometimes in young adults. For this skin disease we propose the term `linear atrophoderma of Moulin'.

Background: Linear atrophoderma is a rare disease, first described by Moulin in 1992 in 5 patients. It is an acquired unilateral hyperpigmented, depressed band-like areas following the lines of Blaschko. It affects children or adolescents of both genders involving the trunk or the limbs. It is considered to be a rare cutaneous form of mosaicism. Main observation: A 39-year-old woman with a 22 years history of unilateral slightly depressed hyperpigmented lesion on her neck was admitted to us. The skin texture was normal and there were no signs of induration or sclerosis. The histopathological examination revealed a normal epidermis outlined by a hyperpigmented basal layer. In the papillary dermis proliferation of superficial vessels with mild lymphocytic infiltrate and melanin-laden macrophages were present. The collagen fibres and elastic fibres were normal. The clinical and histopathological features confirmed the diagnosis of linear atrophoderma of moulin. We discussed the case according to the other cases reported in the literature. Conclusion: Approximately 28 cases of linear atrophoderma have been reported in literature. The present case has the charecteristic clinical and histopathological features of linear atrophoderma as defined by Moulin, but the localization of the lesion is unusual. ( J Dermatol Case Rep. 2011; 5(3): 47-49)

Linear atrophoderma, first described by Moulin, is an acquired unilateral dermatitis localized along the Blaschko lines. It affects children or adolescents of both genders, involving the trunk and the limbs. It is, presumably, a rare cutaneous form of mosaicism. The differential diagnosis of atrophoderma of Moulin involves congenital dermopathies along the Blaschko lines, atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini, and linear scleroderma. We present here a peculiar case of linear atrophoderma affecting a teenager.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin (LAM) is a rare and distinct skin condition characterized by unilateral, hyperpigmented and atrophic band-like skin lesions following the lines of Blaschko. Usually the disease begins in childhood or adolescence on the trunk or limbs, with no preceding inflammation or subsequent sclerodermatous changes. Approximately 25 cases have been reported in the English language literature. We describe a case of LAM occurring in a 9-year-old Peruvian boy with exclusive involvement of the neck. To our knowledge, this is the first report of LAM with this unusual localization.

Hyperpigmented atrophoderma arranged in a pattern following the lines of Blaschko and appearing during childhood or adolescence on the trunk or the limbs is a characteristic feature of linear atrophoderma of Moulin. We review 15 published reports and describe 4 additional cases. Histopathologically, there is no clear sign of atrophy found in specimens examined by light microscopy. It might well be argued that a focal reduction of subcutaneous fatty tissue contributes to the obvious clinical atrophy. The cause and pathogenesis of the disorder remains unknown. It may reflect mosaicism caused by a postzygotic mutation that occurred at an early developmental stage, in analogy to many other diseases distributed along Blaschko's lines. Linear atrophoderma of Moulin may reflect the action of an autosomal lethal gene surviving by mosaicism. There are so far no reports of a familial occurrence that could favor a paradominant transmission of linear atrophoderma of Moulin. However, theoretically, the postzygotic mutation giving rise to an aberrant cell clone could still be nonlethal. In a heterozygous individual, a postzygotic mutational event might lead to loss of the corresponding wild-type allele at the atrophoderma locus. This would give rise to a homozygous cell clone, which becomes manifest along the lines of Blaschko later in life.

Linear atrophoderma of Moulin is a distinctive disease originally described in 1992 and characterized by acquired, mildly atrophic, non-sclerotic, slightly hyperpigmented lesions following the lines of Blaschko. Here, we describe a 15-year-old girl with a 13-year history and a 29-year-old male with a 6-year history of prominent linear telangiectatic erythema and mild atrophoderma following the lines of Blaschko that involved the right leg and hip, and both legs, the trunk and both arms, respectively. As pronounced telangiectatic erythema within lesions of atrophoderma of Moulin has not hitherto been described, we propose that the disease in our patients represents a novel variant of linear atrophoderma of Moulin. Due to considerable overlap, we do not favour the notion that our cases constitute an entity entirely separate from linear atrophoderma of Moulin.

A 16-year-old Vietnamese man presented to the Dermatology Clinic with a 10-year history of bizarre brown patches, which initially started as red asymptomatic ‘‘bumps’' on the trunk, upper and lower extremities, and face. His past medical history was significant for hypothyroidism and idiopathic urticaria. He was on Eltroxin for hypothyroidism. The family history was noncontributory. Physical examination revealed two types of lesion: erythematous, well-circumscribed papules in a linear configuration along with linear hyperpigmented atrophic patches following Blaschko's lines were noted on the lower extremities (Fig. 1), right upper extremity, right flank (Fig. 2), and right jawline. Figure 1. Hyperpigmented atrophic macules involving the lower extremities Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 2. Hyperpigmented atrophic macules involving the trunk and upper extremity Download figure to PowerPoint Initial biopsies taken from the papular lesions on the right thigh and right elbow revealed the following changes. The first biopsy showed a slightly thinned epidermis with prominent dilated blood vessels in the superficial dermis. There also appeared to be a slight increase in the amount of collagen in the deep dermis. The findings were reported as in keeping with ‘‘epithelial atrophy.’' The second biopsy from the lesion on the right elbow revealed an acanthotic epidermis. The granular layer was absent in several areas and there was marked overlying parakeratosis. In the dermis, there was a heavy perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. The appearances were consistent with a psoriasiform dermatitis (Fig. 3). A biopsy taken from the left thigh approximately 18 months later showed slight irregular acanthosis with dermal edema, dilated blood vessels, and a patchy lymphocytic infiltrate. The appearances were compatible with mild inflammation. Figure 3. Psoriasiform dermatitis Download figure to PowerPoint

Linear atrophoderma is a rare disease, first described by Moulin in 1992 in 5 patients, clinically characterized by hyperpigmented, depressed band-like areas along Blaschko's lines. To date, the disease has no effective treatment. We report the seventh case of this condition in a 16-year-old girl and discuss clinical and histopathologic findings, emphasizing the benefit of the potassium aminobenzoate (Potaba) treatment which provided an early stabilization of the skin lesions.