Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann's disease managed with methylprednisolone semipulse and subsequent methotrexate therapies

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003 Dec;49(6):1142-8. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(03)00461-4.

Abstract

Febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann's disease is an unusual severe form of pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta characterized by abrupt onset of ulceronecrotic eruption associated with a high fever and systemic symptoms. To our knowledge, 19 cases of this disease have been reported in the literature, and 4 of them were fatal. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy with this disorder who had abdominal pain, hypoproteinemia, and anemia. Although these associated symptoms are considered life-threatening factors according to reported cases, our patient was successfully treated with methylprednisolone semipulse and subsequent methotrexate therapies. From a review of the literature and the present case, we propose that when patients have these systemic symptoms, therapeutic choices include methotrexate, high-dose corticosteroids, and 4,4-diamino-diphenyl-sulfone, which may depress early development of this disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Pityriasis Lichenoides / drug therapy*
  • Pityriasis Lichenoides / pathology
  • Pulse Therapy, Drug

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone
  • Methotrexate