Ann Dermatol.  2014 Oct;26(5):621-623. 10.5021/ad.2014.26.5.621.

Eruptive Anetoderma in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Jeong NJ
• Park SB
• Im M
• Seo YJ
• Lee JH
• Lee Y

• KMID: 2265499
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2014.26.5.621

Abstract

Anetoderma is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by a loss of normal elastic tissue that presents clinically as atrophic patches located mainly on the upper trunk. Recent studies suggest immunological mechanisms may play a role in this process. Furthermore, a secondary form of macular atrophy occurs in the course of infectious diseases (e.g. syphilis and tuberculosis) and autoimmune disease (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]). Here, we report the case of a 20-year-old woman previously diagnosed with SLE, who presented with numerous well-circumscribed atrophic macules on the face and upper trunk. Histopathological examination showed decreased elastic tissues in the reticular dermis and mononuclear cells adhering to elastic fibers, consistent with anetoderma. Thus, the eruptive anetoderma localized widely on the face and upper trunk may have been caused by an autoimmune response of SLE.

Keyword

Anetoderma; Systemic lupus erythematosus

MeSH Terms

Anetoderma*
Atrophy
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity
Communicable Diseases
Dermis
Elastic Tissue
Female
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Syphilis
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Multiple widespread atrophic whitish lesions on the upper back (A) and chest (B).

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  Fig. 2 (A) Atrophic epidermis and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltration in upper dermis (H&E, ×100). (B) The small vessels of the upper dermis progress toward thrombosis (arrows) without signs of vasculitis (H&E, ×200). (C) Elastic stain revealed loss of elastic fibers, which was more evident in the upper dermis (elastin, ×100).

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