Wickham, louis-frédéric

Lichen planus; Wickham's sign;

(¤ February 28, 1861 in Paris, † October 14, 1913 in Mesnil-le-Roi. In Paris, in 1885, began his dermatological studies with the then famous dermatologists F.H. Hallopeau, E. Vidal and E. Besnier.

In 1888, Wickham was commissioned by the Ministry of Education to investigate the training methods for dermatology and venereology in England. In his analysis, he criticized the conditions in London and recommended strengthening inpatient dermatology. He later wrote regular reports on the work of French dermatology for the British Journal of Dermatology. 1890 Doctorate on Paget's disease. 1890-1897 Wickham was assistant and senior assistant to A.J. Fournier at L'Hôpital Saint Louis in Paris. In 1895 he described the conspicuous spots and stripes of lichen planus (Wickham's stripes). 1897 Chief physician at the Saint Lazare Hospital. From 1888 to 1905 Wickham published various papers on the subjects of pityriasis rubra pilaris, scrofuloderm and dermatitis herpetiformis.

This period also saw the publication of the phenomenon named after him, Wickham's drawing in lichen planus (pathognomonic for lichen planus of the skin and mucous membrane). In the years 1905-1913 Wickham did pioneering work on radium therapy and its use in dermatology.

In 1905, he founded his own research laboratory, which served as a model for medical radiation research. In recognition of his achievements and his role as a mediator between French and English dermatology, Wickham was awarded the sword of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic and the Order of Victoria by the British government.

1. Steffen C et al. (2004) Louis-Frédéric Wickham and the Wickham's striae of lichen planus. Skinmed 3:287-289.

2. Wickham LF (1889) The organization of instruction in Dermatology and Syphilis in Great Britain. J Cutan G U Dis 7: 225-228

3. Wickham LF (1890) Maladie de la peau dite maladie de Paget. Contribution à l'étude des psorospermoses cutanées et de certaines formes de cancer. Masson, Paris
4. Wickham LF (1895) Sur un signe pathognomonique du Lichen du Wilson (lichen plan) stries et ponctuations grisatres. Ann Dermatol Syph 6: 517-520