Lupus erythematosus tumidus in Japan: a case report and a review of the literature

Abstract

We report here the case of a 48-year-old Japanese woman showing plaque-forming scattered indurative papules on her face, buttock and extremities. Histological examination revealed a large amount of interstitial mucin deposition, and negative direct immunofluorescence was observed. The provocative phototesting reproduced the skin lesion, and the patient was diagnosed with lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET). A review of ten LET cases previously reported in Japan revealed that all of these cases had clinicopathological features similar to those reported for European cases, although not all of the former fully satisfied the European criteria.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as lupus erythematosus tumidus and lupus nephritis: a case report

“…Anti-SSA and, sometimes, anti-SSB antibodies have been associated with photosensitivity in subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, but this has not been seen in patients with LET [ 15 – 17 ]. In one Japanese series of ten patients with LET, four patients had an ANA titer of 1:160, four tested positive for anti-Ro/SS-A, and two tested positive for anti-La/SS-B [ 18 ]. Although systemic symptoms are not commonly observed in patients with LET, one case was reported to have developed systemic symptoms during the course of the disease, leading to a reconsideration of the diagnosis as early-stage SLE.…”