Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Report of 2 Patients
January 2017
in “
Skin appendage disorders
”
TLDR Two patients with skin lupus were mistakenly thought to have a different scalp condition but improved with lupus treatment.
The document described two cases where cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) was initially diagnosed as frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), a condition typically linked to lichen planopilaris. However, these cases showed histopathological features of LE and responded positively to treatments commonly used for LE, such as oral hydroxychloroquine and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide. The findings highlight the necessity of considering LE in the differential diagnosis of FFA, particularly when there are suggestive skin lesions, dermoscopic findings, or patient history. The authors suggest that a biopsy should be performed in suspected cases of FFA to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. The study was based on case discussions, dermatohistopathology, and literature review, with no ethical conflicts or disclosures reported by the authors.