Linear sclerodermic lupus erythematosus, a distinct variant of linear morphea and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematous

BACKGROUND: Overlap syndromes represent disorders that combine diagnostic criteria of two or more different connective tissue diseases. METHODS: We herein describe the case of a 34-year-old patient. RESULTS: Our patient developed a lesion on the scalp and forehead following Blaschko's line typical for linear morphea "en coup de sabre", while histopathological features were consistent with both chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and linear morphea, a cutaneous overlap syndrome previously described as linear sclerodermiform lupus erythematosus. The patient was given oral antimalarials in association with topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors with good response. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of this peculiar cutaneous overlap syndrome is warranted, since its management and prognosis is probably different from classical linear morphea.