This finding is 90% sensitive; however, false positives can occur with biopsies of facial lesions. In addition, pathologists often see groups of white blood cells, particularly T helper cells, around the follicles and blood vessels in the dermis. The epidermis appears thin and has effaced rete ridges as well as excess amounts of keratin clogging the openings of the follicles. The basal layer of the epidermis sometimes appears to have holes in it since some of the cells in this layer have broken apart. The remains of skin cells that have died through a process called apoptosis are visible in the upper layer of the dermis and the basal layer of the epidermis.The differential diagnosis includes actinic keratoses, sebborheic dermatitis, lupus vulgaris, sarcoidosis, drug rash, Bowens disease, lichen planus, tertiary syphilis, polymorphous light eruption, lymphocytic infiltration, psoriasis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Classification
Discoid lupus can be broadly classified into localized discoid lupus and generalized discoid lupus based on the location of the lesions. Patients who develop discoid lupus in childhood also have their own sub-type of disease.Hypertrophic lupus and lupus profundus are two special types of discoid lupus distinguished by their characteristic morphological findings.Finally, many patients with systemic lupus also develop discoid lupus lesions. Localized
Most people with discoid lupus only have lesions above the neck and therefore have localized discoid lupus erythematosus. Generalized
Rarely, patients may have lesions above and below the neck; these patients have generalized discoid lupus erythematosus.
Discoid lupus erythematosus is the most common type of chronic cutaneous lupus (CCLE), an autoimmune skin condition on the lupus erythematosus spectrum of illnesses. It presents with red, painful, inflamed and coin-shaped patches of skin with a scaly and crusty appearance, most often on the scalp, cheeks, and ears. Hair loss may occur if the lesions are on the scalp. The lesions can then develop severe scarring, and the centre areas may appear lighter in color with a rim darker than the normal skin. These lesions can last for years without treatment.Patients with systemic lupus erythematous develop discoid lupus lesions with some frequency. However, patients who present initially with discoid lupus infrequently develop systemic lupus. Discoid lupus can be divided into localized, generalized, and childhood discoid lupus.The lesions are diagnosed by biopsy. Patients are first treated with sunscreen and topical steroids. If this does not work, an oral medication—most likely hydroxychloroquine or a related medication—can be tried. Signs and symptoms
Morphology of lesions
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) skin lesions first present as dull or purplish red, disc-shaped flat or raised and firm areas of skin. These lesions then develop increasing amounts of white, adherent scale. Finally, the lesions develop extensive scarring and/or atrophy, as well as pigment changes. They may also have overlying dried fluid, known as crust. On darker skin, the lesions often lose skin pigmentation in the center and develop increased, dark skin pigmentation around the rim. On lighter skin, the lesions often develop a gray color or have very little color change.