A case of cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis with sicca symptoms and lupus nephritis

A 48-year-old Japanese woman presented with many subcutaneous nodules. The skin was purplish in color and tender; the nodules were scattered over the entire surface. Histological findings of biopsy specimens from the nodules indicated septal panniculitis comprised of histiocyte and/or macrophage infiltrates, often with erythro- and/or leukophagocytosis. Phagocytic cells were OKM1 (CD11b), MT1 (CD43), LeuM3 (CD14), and histiocyte antigen positive, indicating the presence of histiocytes and/or macrophages. The patient had sicca symptoms, positive homogenous, speckled pattern ANA (x320), and diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis.