The Prognosis of Localized Scleroderma

While much interest has been given to the generalized systemic forms of scleroderma, relatively little information has appeared about localized scleroderma. Reports concerning the use of various therapeutic agents in localized scleroderma continue to appear, but with a limited knowledge of the natural course of the untreated disease and often a lack of control observations any true evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness or failure can only be presumptive. Dowling 1 has stated, . . at present, there is not very much that one can usefully say about it. In an effort to obtain some information regarding the prognosis in treated and untreated patients, we have summarized the records of 115 patients who had localized scleroderma and who were observed at the University Hospital (Michigan) between 1932 and 1955. It is generally assumed that the disease is self-limited and without serious complications. Much of the evidence for the benign character