[Lupus erythematosus tumidus: a clinical entity still being defined]

Lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET), a form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus that was described some years ago, has begun to receive more attention in the past decade as many published studies have helped to define the particularities of this subtype.The clinical features of LET include the absence of changes on the surface of the epidermis (such as erosion, atrophy, scaling, or follicular plugging) and the lack of scarring on resolution.Because flares are easily induced on exposure to sunlight, eruptions tend to occur in episodes.The diagnosis of LET remains difficult, however, as we continue to debate such issues as the classification of this disease, certain of its microscopic features, and the differential diagnosis of LET in relation to such entities as polymorphic light eruption or Jessner lymphocytic infiltration.