Papular and nodular mucinosis as a sign of lupus erythematosus.

We describe 3 cases of papular and nodular mucinosis (PNM), a clinically distinctive cutaneous mucinosis associated with lupus erythematosus (LE), which has received little attention in the dermatologic literature. Histopathology shows deposits of mucin in the dermis without microscopic features of LE, while immunofluorescent studies disclose linear or granular deposits of IgG, IgM and C3 at the dermoepidermal junction. In about 80% of the 14 cases described in the literature, PMN has been associated with systemic LE with prevalent joint and kidney involvement. The possible prognostic significance of this singular dermatosis is discussed.