Papulonodular dermal mucinosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

A 38-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presented to the dermatology department with diffuse nodules and plaques on her face, trunk and extremities. A lesional biopsy revealed large dermal mucin deposits. Papulonodular dermal mucinosis is characterized histologically by diffuse dermal mucin without the classic epidermal or inflammatory changes seen in lupus erythematosus (LE). This rare variant of LE should be distinguished from other cutaneous mucinoses.