Persistent indurated plaques of the face: a variant of Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate?

Lymphocytic infiltrates of the skin classically include a select number of diagnostic entities such as lupus erythematosus, gyrate erythema, polymorphous light eruption, lymphocytoma cutis, lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphocytic infiltrate of Jessner. We recently observed two patients with chronic inflammatory plaques of the face with histologic features of a lymphocytic infiltrate with unusual clinical features. Persistent indurated plaques of the face may be a manifestation of lymphocytic infiltration of the skin that could represent a variant of Jessner's lymphocytic infiltrate. Cases may be refractory to all forms of treatment other than systemic corticosteroids. Clinicians should be aware of this variant and exclude lupus erythematosus and photodermatitis.