DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages

Translate

Reticular erythematous mucinosis pathology

Author: Assoc Prof Patrick Emanuel, Dermatopathologist, Auckland, New Zealand, 2014.


toc-icon
Table of contents
arrow-right-small

Reticular Erythematous Mucinosis or REM is a rare dermatosis characterised by papules and plaques on the upper trunk which often coalesce into a reticulated pattern. Some authors consider this entity a form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

Histology of reticular erythematous mucinosis

In REM, sections show a superficial and deep perivascular and periadnexal mononuclear infiltrate (figure 1). The epidermis is uninvolved. The presence of copious mucin between collagen fibres of the dermis is characteristic of the disorder (figures 2, 3).

Reticular Erythematous Mucinosis pathology

Special studies for reticular erythematous mucinosis

The mucin may be difficult to appreciate on routine H-E sections. Special stains for mucin (such as colloidal iron or hyaluronic acid) can be helpful to confirm the presence of dermal mucin.

Differential diagnosis of reticular erythematous mucinosis

Scleroedema – This entity also shows mucin deposition but typically lacks an associated inflammatory infiltrate.

Lupus – Tumid lupus can look identical to REM. The clinical presentation can help distinguish these entities. Some authorities consider REM a form of lupus.

 

References

  • Weedon's Skin Pathology (Third edition, 2010). David Weedon

On DermNet

Books about skin diseases

 

Related information

Sign up to the newsletter