Primary localized cutaneous lichen myxedematosus with light chain-restricted plasma cells: A distinct variant of the localized form of lichen myxedematosus.

ABSTRACT

Lichen myxedematosus (LM) is a chronic cutaneous mucinosis that can present as a localized skin lesion or as a generalized systemic disease termed scleromyxedema. The differential diagnosis is determined by a combination of clinical presentation, serological studies, and histopathological examination. Currently, well-established and accepted histopathological features to distinguish localized LM from scleromyxedema have not been elucidated. Our recent publication, together with a retrospective literature review, suggests that the presence of groups of light chain-restricted plasma cells represents a distinct histopathological clue for the diagnosis of localized LM. In this report, we provide two additional cases of localized LM with lambda light chain-restricted plasma cells, together with clinical and histopathological findings that are similar to our previous publication. These cases support our theory that the light chain-restricted plasmacytic microenvironment is primarily attributed to the pathogenesis of localized LM. Therefore, we consider these cases to constitute a clinically and pathologically new variant of localized LM and name it primary localized cutaneous LM with light chain-restricted plasma cells.