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Published on: September 20, 2018
Rowell's syndrome: report of a case
E A Fitzgerald1, S M Purcell, G R Kantor
1Department of Internal Medicine, Abington Memorial Hospital, Pennsylvania, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|November 1, 1996
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of Rowell's syndrome, a condition linking lupus erythematosus with specific skin lesions. The patient exhibited characteristic immunologic markers, confirming this seldom-diagnosed entity.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Erythema multiforme-like eruptions can occur in association with autoimmune conditions.
- Rowell's syndrome is a rare entity characterized by the co-occurrence of lupus erythematosus and erythema multiforme-like lesions.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old woman presented with a chronic, recurrent erythema multiforme-like skin eruption.
- The patient had a history consistent with lupus erythematosus.
- Unusual laboratory and immunologic findings were noted.
Findings:
- The patient's presentation and laboratory results, including a speckled antinuclear antibody pattern and positive rheumatoid factor, were consistent with Rowell's syndrome.
- This diagnosis highlights the specific association between lupus erythematosus, specific skin manifestations, and particular autoantibodies.
- The case underscores the diagnostic criteria for this rarely reported condition.
Implications:
- Recognition of Rowell's syndrome is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of patients with overlapping lupus and erythema multiforme-like features.
- This case contributes to the limited literature on Rowell's syndrome, emphasizing the importance of considering this diagnosis in specific clinical scenarios.
- Further research may elucidate the underlying pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for Rowell's syndrome.
