Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei: A rare case report

Abstract

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF), initially thought to be a tuberculid, is an uncommon independent clinicopathological entity characterized by asymptomatic erythematous papules over the face, usually encountered in young individuals and rarely in the extremes of age group. It was initially thought to be a tuberculid due to similar histopathological features between the two entities. LMDF has a spontaneously resolving course; however, due to its ability to cosmetically debilitate an individual, patients often seek a dermatologist’s opinion. Various treatment options, such as oral tetracyclines, steroids, and retinoids, have been tried with varying results. Around 200 cases have been reported till date, and further studies are needed to understand the etiopathogenesis and management of this distinct dermatosis. We report a case of LMDF in a young lady who was started on oral minocycline and topical tacrolimus but was lost to follow-up. We hereby report this case for its rare occurrence. The present paper highlights the clinical importance of LMDF mimicking granulomatous facial dermatitis and the need for further laboratory investigations to rule out tuberculosis. This report reviews the available literature and presents a patient with LMDF. Biopsy done on one of the lesions over face showed epidermal atrophy, dermal perivascular and periadnexal inflammatory infiltrate, focal granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells, with the special stain for acid-fast bacilli being negative. These findings suggested LMDF. LMDF is a distinct granulomatous inflammatory dermatosis not associated with cutaneous tuberculosis.