Magnetic resonance imaging findings are useful for evaluating the three-dimensional development and follow-up of linear lupus erythematosus profundus

Abstract

Lupus erythematosus profundus (LEP), which is a variant of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), is seen in approximately 2∼3% of CLE patients, and only 10% to 20% of LEP patients present with systemic LE (SLE). LEP shows subcutaneous nodules with or without discoid LE (DLE). Linear LEP, a very rare variant of LEP, was first reported in 1991 in Japanese and in 1998 in English. Since LEP sometimes leaves skin depressions or scars as a result of atrophy of adipose tissue, early and adequate treatments are necessary. Here, we introduce an LEP case in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was quite effective in evaluating a lesion that had been considered to be linear DLE.