A case report of lupus erythematosus tumidus converted from discoid lupus erythematosus

A case of lupus erythematosus tumidus misdiagnosed as erysipelas

A patient presented with erythema and oedema on the right eyelid, malar region and left thigh with pruritus and pain. She was diagnosed with erysipelas and had been treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, but the symptoms did not improve. Laboratory investigation and biopsy showed that she was consistent with lupus erythematosus tumidus. It's a typical and rare diease relatively.

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as lupus erythematosus tumidus and lupus nephritis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Lupus nephritis and lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) are uncommon manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and their coexistence as the initial presentation of SLE is exceedingly rare. Here, we report such a case, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic implications of this unusual association.

CASE REPORT

A 38-year-old North African woman presented in Nephrology department with a history of lower extremity edema, fatigue, and weight loss of 3 kg in 4 weeks. Physical examination revealed LET lesions on the chest and the Neck. Laboratory investigations showed lymphopenia, low C3 and C4 complement levels, positive antinuclear antibodies, anti-dsDNA antibodies, and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Renal function tests showed normal serum creatinine and nephrotic proteinuria. Renal biopsy revealed Class V lupus nephritis. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of LET, with the presence of lymphohistiocytic infiltrates and dermal mucin. The patient was diagnosed with SLE based on the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria and treated with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day) and hydroxychloroquine. She showed significant improvement in her cutaneous and renal symptoms at 6 and 12 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The rarity of the coexistence of LET and lupus nephritis as the initial manifestation of SLE, especially in the North African population, underscores the need for further research to elucidate the immunopathogenic mechanisms and prognostic factors associated with this association.

Lupus erythematosus tumidus: clinical perspectives

Lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET) is an uncommon and photosensitive inflammatory skin disorder which is characterised by erythematous urticarial plaques. In the last 20 years, extensive research on clinical and histological aspects of the disease have led to a better characterization of this nosological entity and to differentiate it from other similar or related diseases. Today, LET is considered as a separate subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) with a benign, intermittent clinical course (intermittent CLE, ICLE) and only rarely associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presented with Bilateral Orbital Edema and Negative Serology

Isolated bilateral periorbital edema with negative serology is an extremely rare presentation of cutaneous lupus erythematosus that may lead to eyelid scarring, infection, or even corneal involvement. The treatment usually comprises a combination of hydroxychloroquine and a tapering dose of systemic steroids. Patients require long-term follow-up as they may develop systemic lupus erythematosus with positive serology later in life. We report a case of a 32-year-old female who presented with chronic bilateral periorbital edema, and the histopathology confirmed cutaneous lupus erythematosus.