Lupus erythematosus/lichen planus overlap syndrome with scarring alopecia

Lupus erythematosus (LE) and lichen planus (LP) may occur as an overlap syn drome (LE/LP). The term comprises a heterogeneous group of patients who hav e clinical, histological and/or immunopathological characteristics of both diseases at the same time. The disease occurs so infrequently as to limit c linical cases for study. We present a case of scarring alopecia due to LE/L P overlap syndrome. Initial biopsy of the scalp showed scarring alopecia on ly, with subsequent biopsies showing histological features of LE. Direct im munofluorescence was negative for the LE band, but showed features consiste nt with LP. We report this case as an uncommon cause of scarring alopecia i llustrating the importance of multiple biopsies in the diagnosis of LE/LP o verlap syndrome.