Tumid Lupus Erythematosus

Tumid lupus erythematosus (TLE) is a variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Most patients who present with these skin lesions are young women. The condition clinically resembles polymorphous light eruption, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), reticulated erythematous mucinosis, or gyrate erythema. Histopathologically, the lesions resemble classic lupus erythematosus because of their superficial and deep lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrates and dermal mucin. However, unlike classic lupus erythematosus, there is little or no epidermal or dermo-epidermal involvement. Antinuclear antibody test results are usually negative. We describe 4 cases of TLE and discuss the differential diagnosis.