Indonesian Journal of Case Reports
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): June 2026

En Coup de Sabre: A Classical Case of Linear Morphea in a Young Woman

Nanda Earlia (Department of Dermatology Venereology and Aesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala - Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, Indonesia)
Arie Hidayati (Department of Dermatology Venereology and Aesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala - Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, Indonesia)
Cut Yunita (Department of Dermatology Venereology and Aesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala - Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, Indonesia)
Fitri Dewi Ismida (Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala - Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia)
Wizurai Wisesa (Department of Dermatology Venereology and Aesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala - Dr. Zainoel Abidin, Banda Aceh, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by cutaneous sclerosis without systemic involvement. The craniofacial variant, en coup de sabre, is clinically significant due to its potential for deep-tissue extension and neurologic associations. A 22-year-old woman presented with a 10-year history of a progressively widening linear depressed lesion on the forehead. Clinical evaluation showed a well-demarcated atrophic plaque, while laboratory tests, including ANA, were normal. Histopathology revealed thickened collagen bundles with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration, consistent with sclerotic-phase linear morphea. The patient was diagnosed with linear morphea en coup de sabre and treated with methotrexate and corticosteroids, resulting in clinical improvement after 4 weeks. This case highlights the delayed presentation and slow progression of adult-onset craniofacial linear morphea. Despite minimal inflammatory activity, the lesion location carries a risk of deeper involvement, warranting early systemic immunomodulatory therapy. Adult-onset linear morphea en coup de sabre should be recognized in patients with slowly progressive linear atrophic forehead lesions. Early diagnosis and timely systemic treatment are essential to prevent progression and long-term deformity.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijcr

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Neuroscience Public Health

Description

The journal aims to present challenging and stimulating cases in an educational format, enabling readers to engage as if they are actively collaborating with caring clinician scientists in patient management. Topics of this journal includes, but not limited to Exploration of new diseases and their ...