Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus in vitiligo

A 49-year-old woman presented with a seven-year history of pruritic, erythematous, scaling plaques on sun-exposed skin that localized only to pre-existing depigmented patches. Histopathologic examination showed changes consistent with cutaneous lupus erythematosus with lichenoid features and confirmed contiguous vitiligo. Diagnosis of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus localized to areas of vitiligo was determined by clinicopathologic correlation and may reflect an autoimmune diathesis. Consequently, hydroxychloroquine and topical glucocorticoids therapy were initiated with reported improvement in pruritus, erythema, and scale. Clinical monitoring for development of squamous-cell carcinoma in areas of chronic inflammation and sun-exposure is imperative.