PUVA BATH PHOTOCHEMOTHERAPY OF LICHEN-SCL EROSUS-ET-ATROPHICUS WITH 8-METHOXYPSORALEN

A 66-year-old woman with longstanding lichen sclerosus et atrophicus i mproved strikingly with PUVA bath photochemotherapy over a period of 6 weeks. The cumulative UVA dose was 31.7 J/cm(2); the single UVA dose ranged from 0.3 to 2.3 J/cm(2). After 16 treatment sessions, the scler otic lesions had softened greatly, while after 24 treatments, the skin lesions were almost completely cleared and pruritus was diminished. H istopathological analysis of biopsy specimens from previously affected sites as well as 20 MHz ultrasound examinations showed almost no resi dual sclerosis. Although long-term results are not yet available, PUVA bath photochemotherapy seems to be a promising and effective new trea tment modality without systemic side effects for patients with dissemi nated lichen sclerosus et atrophicus.