<i>En coup de sabre</i> morphea: an uncommon condition in Africa

Lehlohonolo Makhakhe; Ncoza Dlova; Annette Smith; Michelle du Preez

doi:10.4081/dr.2022.9537

Authors

Lehlohonolo Makhakhe
makhakhel@ufs.ac.za
Department of Dermatology, University of The Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Ncoza Dlova Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of Kwa- Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.
Annette Smith Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Michelle du Preez Department of Anatomical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

The term en coup de sabre morphea refers to a lesion of linear morphea typically located in the frontoparietal scalp and/or the paramedian forehead, often resembling a strike with a sword. In literature, en coup de sabre morphea, and en coup de sabre scleroderma are terms used interchangeably and synonymously. Due to the rarity of this condition, treatment is largely based on case report series, leaving much room for speculation in terms of drugs of choice, duration of treatment, and dosages. Although it typically leaves behind notable and often permanent skin pigmentary changes and indentation of the affected areas, this condition usually remits spontaneously, even in the absence of an active form of treatment. The disease severity and prognosis vary according to the subtype: circumscribed morphea has a generally more benign course when compared with linear scleroderma and generalized morphea.

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Makhakhe, L., Dlova, N., Smith, A., & du Preez, M. (2022). <i>En coup de sabre</i> morphea: an uncommon condition in Africa. Dermatology Reports, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2022.9537