Ophthalmic complication of pityriasis rubra pilaris

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 May 28;17(5):e256445. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256445.

Abstract

Pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a rare dermatological condition which may present with ocular manifestations. We report a case of recurrent cicatricial ectropion (CE) with topical beta-blocker use in the rare dermatological condition PRP. The patient underwent release of scar tissue, lateral tarsal strip and full-thickness supraclavicular skin graft for CE following immunosuppression with methotrexate for 3 months. Postoperatively, CE recurred, with skin graft shrinkage and resumption of periocular disease activity, 8 weeks following the introduction of topical timolol. The patient was referred for further immunosuppression and substitution of timolol before consideration for further surgery. PRP has a variety of potential ocular complications. Surgery has a high risk of recurrence and should be performed when the overall disease is quiescent and drugs, which could trigger reactivation, have been discontinued and/or substituted. Skin grafts should be oversized to off-set shrinkage.

Keywords: Dermatology; Eye; Head and neck surgery; Ophthalmology; Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Cicatrix / complications
  • Cicatrix / etiology
  • Ectropion* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris*
  • Recurrence
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Timolol / administration & dosage
  • Timolol / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Methotrexate
  • Timolol