• A young woman had a history of subcutaneous nodules, migratory arthralgia, myalgia, and lymphadenopathy. Histopathologic characteristics of the nodular subcutaneous lesion showed a massive lobular panniculitis characteristic of lupus erythematosus (LE) panniculitis. The diagnosis of LE panniculitis was established by demonstration of a positive linear basement membrane zone stain of the involved skin by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Initial serologic findings showed negative antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-DNA antibody test results and a negative LE cell preparation. Subsequently, a positive ANA test result developed. The test result for extractable nuclear antigen was strongly positive, although initial test results for antibodies to ribonucleoprotein and Sm antigens were negative.
(Arch Dermatol 1983;119:61-64)