Although the dental manifestations of the rare dermatologic disorder generalized scleroderma have been well described in adults, the oral manifestations of localized scleroderma in childhood are not well documented. A case of localized scleroderma in a female child is described which highlights the problems of dental management of the defects that interfere with dental and alveolar development.

OBJECTIVES Juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) is a rare condition that is often difficult to assess and for which a variety of monitoring tools have been described. We aimed to describe how monitoring tools are used and perceived by clinicians in the UK, to ascertain treatments used for JLS and to provide a description of transition arrangements to adult care. METHODS An e-survey of UK paed...

Retrospective study of 59 chlidren with JLS from 3 to 17 y (M = 10.3) treated with MTX was performed. Group 1 (n = 18) – received prednisone 0.5 mg\kg for 6 weeks, taped to 0.1 mg\kg for 12 months + MTX 10 mg\body sq. weekly for 13.7 mo. Group 2 (n = 41) -MTX the same doses and duration. The efficacy was measured in 6 & 12 months using skin score, activity and sclerosis indexes (IA, IS) (1 – 3 ...

BACKGROUND Periostin is a novel matricellular protein expressed in many tissues, including bone, periodontal ligament, and skin. Although its expression is prominent in various fibrotic conditions, studies of periostin in localized scleroderma are rare. OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of periostin and other molecules in localized scleroderma. METHODS A retrospective study of 14 pati...

Commentary Systemic sclerosis is one of the rheumatic diseases that is associated with the worst prognosis. Systemic sclerosis is divided into localized and systemic forms. Localized scleroderma comprises four subtypes, namely morphea, generalized morphea, linear scleroderma and en coup de saber, and is more commonly encountered in children. Although conversion into systemic sclerosis is very u...

OBJECTIVES There have been many studies suggesting that localized scleroderma has a strong autoimmune background, although the lesions are usually limited to the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Here we summarize previous data on the autoimmunity of localized scleroderma, mostly published in the last two decades, because there has not been a review paper summarizing autoimmunity in this disorder. ...

BACKGROUND Localized scleroderma is characterized by a thickening of the skin from excessive collagen deposits. It is not a fatal disease, but quality of life can be adversely affected due to changes in skin appearance, joint contractures, and, rarely, serious deformities of the face and extremities. We present six cases of localized scleroderma in face from our surgical practice. METHODS We ...