Lupus tumidus: a variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Lupus tumidus is a rare sub-type of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus characterized by dermal plaques in which excessive mucin accumulates early in disease process. We report a middle aged women having succulent, edematous and persistent plaque over her face for five years that was not responding to various empirical treatments offered to her. Finally, on clinico-pathological basis, it was diagnosed as a case of tumid lupus erythematosus (TLE) and she responded satisfactorily to the treatment regimen including oral steroids, chloroquine and application of sun screen.