Plaquelike cutaneous mucinosis: its relationship to reticular erythematous mucinosis

Nine patients with plaquelike cutaneous mucinosis, including the three described originally in 1960, are presented. The clinical manifestations of asymptomatic persistent, erythematous, infiltrated papules, either isolated or coalescing into plaques, in the midline of the back or chest are suggestive of the diagnosis. The dermal histopathologic findings of perivascular and periappendageal round cell infiltrates and mucin (acid mucopolysaccharides) on special stains confirm the diagnosis. This syndrome is more common among women, may be aggravated by exposure to ultraviolet light, and may subside spontaneously after long periods. We believe the condition of these patients is identical to that described as reticular erythematous mucinosis syndrome.