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Lupus Erythematosus Profundus. Presented by Staff of Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan.
A 29-year-old white woman noted the appearance of a single erythematous lesion on her right arm approximately 3½ years ago. Since that time similar lesions have erupted over both arms and thighs and have progressed to become nodules that are often tender. Prior to being seen here, she had been receiving trial therapy with prednisone without appreciable improvement.Physical examination reveals numerous erythematous, nontender nodules, varying in size from 1 to 4 cm, over her arms and upper parts of her legs with sparing of the face and trunk. The epidermis overlying these nodules appears shiny and atrophic. Palpable nodularity surrounds a healed surgical scar on the anterior portion of the right arm. Laboratory test panel was unremarkable. Complete blood cell count (CBC), is urinalysis, protein electrophoresis, thyroid screen, and chest x-ray film were normal. Antinuclear factor