Malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos'disease)

A 25-year-old Chinese female presented with a few weeks' history of erythematous papular eruption over the forehead, upper back and scalp. The lesions typically consisted of a necrotic or atrophic centre with peripheral erythema and crusting. Skin biopsy showed histological features consistent with malignant atrophic papulosis (Degos' disease). The patient was also found to have anciemia, thrombocytopaenia, positive ANA and anti-dsDNA. She was treated as a case of malignant atrophic papulosis with features of systemic lupus erythematosus and idiopathic thrombocytopaenia on the basis of clinical, histological and further investigative findings.