Multiple Eruptive Dermatofibromas in Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Introduction. Multiple eruptive dermatofibromas are described in association with different immune-mediated conditions like SLE, pemphigus, myasthenia gravis, HIV infection, organ transplantation, acute myeloid leukemia, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis and immunosuppressive therapy. Case Report. A forty-five year-old woman presented at our Department with over 20 dermatofibromas on her trunk and extremities developed spontaneously over the last 3 years, out of which more than 10 lesions developed over the previous year. The patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus before the onset of lesions and was treated with different immunomodulatory agents (corticosteroids, methotrexate, antimalarials, azathioprine, belimumab, anti IL-6 antibody). Dermoscopy of different lesions revealed different dermatoscopic patterns without pattern predominance. A biopsy specimen of one lesion confirmed the diagnosis. Conclusion. There are few cases reports describing a possible link between systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple dermatofibromas. The mechanism is still unknown but is believed to be due to the altered immunity in immune-mediated diseases.