To the Editor.—
Dr Dilaimy's reply to Dr Tkach in the December Archives (113:1729, 1977) has several factors that do not substantiate a reply to the letter addressed to him.To verify his argument that discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) was not to be confused with lichen planus subtropicus (LPS), he stated that the lesions of LPS healed without scarring, that the infiltrate was confined to the upper portion of the dermis, and that there was no follicular plugging. Unfortunately, all these characteristics may also be seen in DLE.1Therefore, it is difficult for Dr Dilaimy to refute Dr Tkach on the basis of some of the criteria he has set up to differentiate the two entities, DLE and LPS.