To the Editor.—
Lupus panniculitis occurs both with and without the other manifestations of lupus diathesis. Trauma frequently initiates the condition.1 We describe a patient in whom lupus panniculitis developed that was precipitated by electromyography (EMG).
Report of a Case.—
A 62-year-old woman was in good health until she underwent EMG and nerve conduction velocity testing on both upper arms to evaluate arm weakness after an automobile accident. She developed nontender subcutaneous nodules at each site of needle insertion over the next 12 hours. The patient had no fever or pain, and the lesion did not suppurate. Over the next few months, the nodules persisted, with the slow development of subcutaneous atrophy. A biopsy specimen of one of the lesions was interpreted as an abscess, but a two-week trial of oral cephalexin (Keflex [Lilly]) and two weeks of therapy with prednisone (40 mg daily) led to no change. The