Comparison of histopathologic-clinical characteristics of Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin and lupus erythematosus tumidus: Multicenter study of 46 cases.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify criteria able to distinguish between Jessner's lymphocytic infiltration of the skin (JLIS) and lupus erythematosus tumidus (LET).


METHODS
The following characteristics were recorded in a retrospective, multicenter analysis of patients with JLIS and LET: clinical features (number, size, type, and localization of lesions; photosensitivity; extracutaneous signs), histologic findings, phototesting, lupus serology, treatment, and outcome. Available histologic slides were reviewed blinded to the initial diagnosis using a pre-established grid.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis of data from patients with JLIS (15 women, 17 men; mean age: 35 years) and LET (13 women, one man; mean age: 31 years) showed the following significant (P < .05) differences: more frequent back involvement and annular lesions in JLIS, as opposed to female predominance, more frequent face involvement, and plaques in LET. Phototesting, especially ultraviolet B, induced lesions in 18 of 26 patients with JLIS and all 4 with LET. The blinded histologic review (33 samples) only found slight epidermal atrophy and focal thickened dermoepidermal junction more frequent and perivascular lymphocyte infiltrations less dense in LET. The two groups of patients reclassified according histopathologic features (18 LET and 11 JLIS) showed only slight clinical differences (more frequent nasal bridge lesions in LET and annular lesions in JLIS).


CONCLUSIONS
The retrospective nature of the study is a limitation.


CONCLUSIONS
JLIS and LET in this population showed more similarities than differences, supporting a continuous spectrum covering these two entities.
Rémy-Leroux
Valérie
V
Service de Dermatologie, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Centre Hospitalier de Reims, Reims, France.
Léonard
Fabienne
F
Lambert
Daniel
D
Wechsler
Janine
J
Cribier
Bernard
B
Thomas
Pierre
P
Adamski
Henri
H
Marguery
Marie-Claude
MC
Aubin
François
F
Leroy
Dominique
D
Bernard
Philippe
P
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D000962:Antimalarials