In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy features of discoid lupus erythematosus

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is an inflammatory condition characterized by round demarcated lesions with varying amounts of erythema, telangiectasia, scaling, follicular plugging, dyspigmentation, atrophy, and scarring. Clinical diagnosis can be confirmed through biopsy samples; reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is also emerging as an accurate diagnostic tool.

Our objective was to examine the features of discoid lupus erythematosus on reflectance confocal microscopy. Two patients presenting with discoid lupus erythematosus were imaged using RCM. Features seen in RCM were correlated with those seen in histopathology.

Reflectance confocal microscopy images of discoid lupus erythematosus yielded features characteristically seen in histopathological samples including inflammatory cells, inflammation at the dermo-epidermal junction, pigment incontinence, and vacuolar degeneration.

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosus. Features described in these two cases as well as prior research have yielded sufficient data to allow for the formulation of useful RCM diagnostic algorithms. Further studies with a larger patient population will help in confirming and describing new features of DLE on RCM.