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Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
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Erythema Multiforme-Like Lesions Revealing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Hanae Tassine1, Abire Allaoui2, Abdelhamid Naitlhou2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mohammed VI International University Hospital, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences (UM6SS), Casablanca, MAR.
Cureus
|July 24, 2025
Summary
Rowell syndrome, a rare condition linking systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and erythema multiforme (EM)-like skin lesions, was diagnosed in a 69-year-old woman. Treatment with corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine led to significant improvement.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Dermatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Rowell syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the co-occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and erythema multiforme (EM)-like skin manifestations.
- Distinctive immunological markers, including a speckled antinuclear antibody (ANA) pattern, are often observed.
- The condition predominantly affects women and necessitates specific diagnostic criteria.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old woman presented with severe mucocutaneous erythema multiforme-like lesions and systemic symptoms.
- Clinical presentation and laboratory results were consistent with a diagnosis of SLE.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with Rowell syndrome, exhibiting features of both SLE and EM-like lesions.
- Immunological investigations revealed a speckled ANA pattern, a hallmark of the syndrome.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing Rowell syndrome in patients presenting with overlapping SLE and EM features.
- Effective management combining corticosteroids and hydroxychloroquine can lead to substantial clinical and biological improvement.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for Rowell syndrome is warranted.
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