Tumid Lupus Erythematosus: A Rare and Distinctive Variant of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Masquerading as Urticarial Vasculitis

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Largo Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

5-27-2020

Keywords

tumid lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, urticarial vasculitis, chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Disciplines

Dermatology | Pathology | Rheumatology | Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Abstract

Tumid lupus erythematosus (TLE) is a rare form of chronic cutaneous lupus that has triggered much debate regarding its clinical and histopathological features. It has been classically defined as annular erythematous, succulent, plaques involving the face and trunk that typically are devoid of any papulosquamous features such as scale and follicular plugging. These lesions are a clinical mimicker of other urticarial lesions such as urticarial vasculitis and lymphocytic infiltrate of Jessner. We report a case of TLE presenting in a 49-year-old Caucasian female whose initial clinical presentation was concerning for urticarial vasculitis due to presence of urticarial-like lesions present for approximately three months. Laboratory studies and histopathological correlations confirmed the diagnosis of TLE and the patient was successfully treated with topical corticosteroids.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

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