Melanotic lupus erythematosus: A rare variant of discoid lupus erythematosus

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is characterized by atrophic patches with peripheral hyperpigmentation on sun-exposed skin areas. It rarely presents with diffuse hyperpigmented patches without erythema, adherent scales and atrophy on the face and neck. This presentation is called melanotic lupus erythematosus and it has rarely been reported in the literature. Other conditions that cause facial pigmentation, such as melasma, Riehl melanosis, lichen planus pigmentosus, and drug-related pigmentation should be considered in the differential diagnosis. We herein, report a 66-year-old male patient with diffuse blue-brown pigmentations on his face who was diagnosed as having melanotic lupus erythematosus based on the clinical, histopathological and immunofluoresence findings.