Panniculitis mimicking lupus erythematosus profundus: a new histopathologic finding in malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos disease)

Am J Dermatopathol. 1999 Aug;21(4):365-8. doi: 10.1097/00000372-199908000-00010.

Abstract

We present the case of a 57-year-old woman with a 1-year history of a cutaneous eruption clinically and histopathologically characteristic of Degos disease. In one of the two cutaneous biopsy specimens taken from the trunk lesions, the histopathology consisted of necrosis and sclerosis of the subcutaneous lobules, a finding that to our knowledge has not been previously described in the cutaneous lesions of Degos disease. Two months after cutaneous biopsies were taken, the patient developed ptosis and an episode of acute abdominal pain; intestinal perforation and many characteristic lesions of visceral Degos disease involving the entire small bowel were noted at laparotomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Complement C3 / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Panniculitis / diagnosis*
  • Panniculitis / metabolism
  • Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus / diagnosis*
  • Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus / metabolism
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous / metabolism

Substances

  • Complement C3
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G