"Centripetal flagellate erythema": a cutaneous manifestation associated with dermatomyositis.

We describe 3 patients with dermatomyositis who presented with flagellate erythema. This cutaneous eruption is characterized by erythematous linear lesions on the trunk and proximal extremities. Histologic examination of this eruption in one of our cases revealed an interface dermatitis. Review of the literature and records of 183 patients with connective tissue diseases from our institution has shown that this peculiar eruption has been reported only in dermatomyositis. Because of the location of this eruption, we encourage the use of the term "centripetal flagellate erythema" to distinguish this entity from other linear eruptions seen in patients with connective tissue diseases.