History
A 47-year-old woman was referred to
our clinic for evaluation of recurrent, asymptomatic, non-scarring
erythematous lesions on her neck, both shoulders and right upper
arm. The first papuloerythematous lesions appeared 3 years ago on
her right cheek, back and décolleté. Exposure to sunlight
exacerbated the lesions, but they were present also during the
wintertime.
The differential diagnosis included
polymorphic light eruption, figurate erythema, pseudolymphoma and
borrelial lymphocytoma. The diagnosis of lupus erythematosus was
previously excluded, since the histological findings were not
characteristic and the antinuclear antibodies were negative.
Without a definitive diagnosis, the lesions were treated,
elsewhere, with topical steroids. However, a complete remission was
never achieved.
Her medical history was significant
for asthma and polyallergy (milk products, pet dander, house dust
mites, molds, pollen). In addition, she experienced a benign breast
adenoma, surgery for a myomatous uterus, cholecystolithiasis and a
thyroid adenoma. She was regularly taking iodine (75 mg daily) and
contraceptives. Otherwise, she was in good general condition. Her
family history was unremarkable.