Lupus tumidus

Introduction
Lupus tumidus is a rare type of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus characterized by recurring non-scarring, erythematous-oedematous skin lesions, located on sun-exposed areas.

Objective
To present two cases of patients with lupus tumidus.

Case reports
1. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to the Department of Dermatology due to erythematous-oedematous lesions on dorsal parts of hands, face and thighs, self-resolving. Broad evaluation for connective tissue disorders revealed no relevant abnormalities. Finally, lupus tumidus was diagnosed and hydroxychloroquine was introduced. During the therapy a breast cancer was diagnosed. 2. A 45-year-old woman presented to the Department in order to treat erythematous-oedematous lesions located on the face, shoulders and upper torso that appeared 3 months earlier. The histopathological examination revealed lupus tumidus.

Conclusions
Lupus erythematosus tumidus diagnosis may pose diagnostic difficulties. Among the types of lupus erythematosus, it is distinguished by regression without scarring, significant ultraviolet hypersensitivity and rapid clinical improvement after antimalarial drugs.