Cutaneous mucinosis associated with SLE--a case provoked by PUVA

A patient with SLE which was complicated by a characteristic cutaneous mucinosis is reported. The skin lesions were composed of intradermal soft nodules, purple-red plaques, and alopecia of the scalp. Acid mucopolysaccharides accumulated in each lesion. PUVA provoked an infiltrated skin lesion in which acid mucopolysaccharides were deposited in the dermis. Deposition of immunoglobulins and complements were also observed at the dermo-epidermal junction and on the vascular walls. Some immunological processes which may stimulate the synthesis of acid mucopolysaccharides in the dermis were suggested.