Prominent Degos-like skin lesions in a patient with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Malignant atrophic papulosis, commonly known as Degos disease, is a rare vasculopathy encompassing both benign, cutaneous and lethal systemic variants. We report a case of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus in a 41-year-old male presenting with prominent Degos-like skin lesions. Multiple atrophic, porcelain-white, scar-like papules and plaques with dusky, erythematous borders, suggestive of malignant atrophic papulosis, were noted on the patient's back. Additional cutaneous findings included photo-distributed facial erythema and discoid lupus-like plaques on the face, shoulders, and arms. Clinicopathological correlation supported a diagnosis of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus; hydroxychloroquine was initiated with good clinical response. No new or active lesions were observed at the sixteen-month follow-up. This case highlights a rare skin finding associated with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and underscores the importance of ruling out primary autoimmune disease, particularly lupus, before a diagnosis of malignant atrophic papulosis can be made.