Reticular erythematous mucinosis and thrombocytopenic purpura. Report of a case and review of the world literature, including plaquelike cutaneous mucinosis.

A case of reticular erythematous mucinosis associated with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and circulating immune complexes is described. We compare reticular erythematous mucinosis with the similar plaquelike cutaneous mucinosis. We discuss the apparent photosensitivity of reticular erythematous mucinosis and its possible relationship with altered states of immune function such as diabetes, thyroid disease, and neoplasia. The somewhat varied but characteristic histopathologic findings and staining are reviewed, including the characteristic perivascular and occasional perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate and Alcian blue-positive dermal mucin. Treatment with antimalarial drugs still appears to be the most uniformly successful therapeutic approach to the management of this chronic dermatosis. Further research efforts should be directed at understanding its link with altered states of immune function.