NECROTIZING VASCULITIS OF THE PENIS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an idiopathic autoimmune disease with clinical manifestations comprising a wide spectrum of signs and sympto ms involving all major organ systems. Cutaneous lesions are among the most common signs of the disease, which include malar dermatitis, disc oid rashes, alopecia, painless oral ulcers, photosensitive skin erupti ons and vasculitis of the skin.(1) Cutaneous lupus vasculitis may pres ent as skin erythema, petechiae, epidermal necrosis, purpuric lesions and ulcerations.(2) To our knowledge we report the first case of necro tizing vasculitis of the penile skin as a manifestation of the acute e xacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Presentation, diagnosis a nd management are discussed.