title: Lupus profundus (panniculitis): a potential mimic of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma.
abstract: Lupus profundus is a rare manifestation of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, seen in 1% to 3% of patients. It most commonly presents in association with classic chronic cutaneous lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus; however, such lesions, as well as a clinical history of lupus erythematosus, may be lacking. The differential diagnosis for lymphocytic lobular panniculitides is broad; however, the consideration of subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma is most critical. Recently, there have been several reports emphasizing the overlapping histomorphologic features between lupus profundus and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. Although this is controversial, some authors suggest that patients with lupus profundus are at risk for the development of abnormal, clonal T-cell proliferations and/or overt subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. In cases of atypical lymphocytic lobular panniculitis that fail to meet diagnostic criteria for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, patients should be clinically followed indefinitely, as future subcutaneous lymphoma cannot be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Arps
authors.forename: Rajiv M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D015434:Panniculitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D015435:Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D013256:Steroids