Secondary follicular mucinosis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 61-year-old woman presented with a five-month history of an intermittent eruption of papules and nodules on her face and neck. Past medical history included systemic lupus erythematosus. Histopathologic examination was consistent with secondary follicular mucinosis in association with systemic lupus erythematosus. This rare entity has been described in one prior report as a precursor to the clinical onset of systemic lupus erythematosus. Follicular mucinosis occurs as either a primary idiopathic form or a secondary form associated with either benign inflammatory processes or malignant conditions, such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Numerous treatments for primary follicular mucinosis have been described, which include isotretinoin and glucocorticoids, whereas treatment of the underlying disease is necessary in the secondary form. The association with lymphoma mandates long-term clinical monitoring of patients with particularly recalcitrant, widespread, or chronic follicular mucinosis.