Treatment of localized morphea with Zyderm collagen implant.

Zyderm collagen implant (ZCI), used in the treatment of scarring, soft tissue contour defects, and age lines, has been found to be both efficacious and safe. Over 40,000 individuals have received ZCI, with fewer than 2% showing adverse responses (data on file, Collagen Corporation, Palo Alto, California). ZCI is comprised of highly purified bovine collagen that has undergone partial enzymatic degradation to reduce its antigenicity.’ Despite this purification, theoretical considerations have precluded its use in patients with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and progressive systemic sclerosis. Morphea has not been considered on this list of contraindicated diseases. I t is usually an isolated phenomenon with no predisposition to systemic disease. Our patient represents the first case of ZCI used to treat cosmetically disfiguring localized morphea. ZCI injections were instituted following consultation and consent from the patient and representatives of the Collagen Corporation.