Dermoscopy of discoid lupus erythematosus

• Published in: British journal of dermatology (1951) Vol. 168; no. 2; pp. 284 - 288
• Main Authors: Lallas, A., Apalla, Z., Lefaki, I., Sotiriou, E., Lazaridou, E., Ioannides, D., Tiodorovic-Zivkovic, D., Sidiropoulos, T., Konstantinou, D., Di Lernia, V., Argenziano, G., Zalaudek, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2013; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Dermoscopy; Female; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Observer Variation; Prospective Studies; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Time Factors; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Skin disease; Dermatology; Cutaneous lupus erythematosus; Systemic disease; Autoimmune disease; Lupus erythematosus
• ISSN: 0007-0963; 1365-2133
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.12044

Summary Background  Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating skin tumours, but its applicability also extends into the field of inflammatory skin disorders. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) represents the most common subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. While dermoscopy and videodermoscopy have been shown to aid the differentiation of scalp DLE from other causes of scarring alopecia, limited data exist concerning dermoscopic criteria of DLE in other locations, such as the face, trunk and extremities. Objective  To describe the dermoscopic criteria observed in a series of patients with DLE located on areas other than the scalp, and to correlate them to the underlying histopathological alterations. Methods  DLE lesions located on the face, trunk and extremities were dermoscopically and histopathologically examined. Selection of the dermoscopic variables included in the evaluation process was based on data in the available literature on DLE of the scalp and on our preliminary observations. Analysis of data was done with SPSS analysis software. Results  Fifty‐five lesions from 37 patients with DLE were included in the study. Perifollicular whitish halo, follicular keratotic plugs and telangiectasias were the most common dermoscopic criteria. Statistical analysis revealed excellent correlation between dermoscopic and histopathological findings. Notably, a time‐related alteration of dermoscopic features was observed. Conclusions  The present study provides new insights into the dermoscopic variability of DLE located on the face, trunk and extremities. What’s already known about this topic? •  Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) represents the most common subtype of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. •  Dermoscopy and videodermoscopy have been shown to aid the differentiation of scalp DLE from other causes of scarring alopecia, but limited data exist concerning dermoscopic criteria of DLE on other locations, such as the face, trunk and extremities. What does this study add? •  Our study provides new insights into the dermoscopic variability of DLE located on the face, trunk and extremities.