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Diagnosis and treatment

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Diagnosis and treatment

Abnormalities commonly seen in laboratory investigations include:

  • FBC - eosinophelia may be seen
  • serologic examination for
    • antinuclear antibodies
    • anti-single-stranded DNA antibodies
    • antihistone antibodies
  • radiography - helpful in deeper tissue involvement
  • skin biopsy ("square biopsy") - lymphocytes can be seen in the deep dermis and among the collagen bundles

There is no specific treatment

  • seek specialist advice
  • management of morphoea involves
    • reassuring the patient that the condition is benign and most of the time cease spontaneously
    • general measures - regular massage or physiotherapy, protection from trauma and cold, avoid smoking
    • topical agents - corticosteroids, calcipotriene, and imiquimod
    • hototherapy - UVA or PUVA
    • oral systemic therapy - steroids, antimalarials
    • Intralesional corticosteroid injections into an active lesion may alter the shape but not its development

Reference:

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