Dermal mucinosis in discoid lupus erythematosus. Report of two cases

Two patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) had lesions exhibiting prominent atrophy and telangiectasia. At the time of biopsy, the skin specimens were grossly mucinous. Light and immunofluorescence microscopy findings confirmed the diagnosis of DLE in both cases. Abundant mucin deposition throughout the dermis was also seen microscopically in both cases. Although secondary mucinosis is known to occur in LE, cases with massive mucinous change, ie, those reported herein, have apparently not been recorded. Mucinosis is not considered important in the histologic diagnosis of LE but may create some confusion with other mucinous disorders.