ATYPICAL LYMPHOID INFILTRATES ARISING IN CUTANEOUS LESIONS OF CONNECTIVE-TISSUE DISEASE

Atypical lymphoid infiltrates occurring in the setting of connective-t issue disease (CTD) comprise malignant neoplasms of B-cell or T-cell p henotypes and various reactive lymphoid hyperplasias, such as myoepith elial sialadenitis, lymphocytic thyroiditis, and lymphocytic interstit ial pneumonitis. We describe 17 patients with atypical lymphoid infilt rates arising in cutaneous lesions of CTD, the spectrum of which inclu ded lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, relapsing polychondritis, an d lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. There were two principal cat egories , pseudolymphoma and malignant lymphoma, the former representing 15 of the 17 cases. The clinical and histologic features and possible patho genetic mechanisms are discussed.