"Centripetal flagellate erythema": A cutaneous manifestation associated with dermatomyositis

We describe 3 patients with dermatomyositis who presented with flagellate e rythema. This cutaneous eruption is characterized by erythematous linear le sions on the trunk and proximal extremities. Histologic examination of this eruption in one of our cases revealed an interface dermatitis. Review of t he literature and records of 183 patients with connective tissue diseases f rom our institution has shown that this peculiar eruption has been reported only in dermatomyositis. Because of the location of this eruption, we enco urage the use of the term "centripetal flagellate erythema" to distinguish this entity from other linear eruptions seen in patients with connective ti ssue diseases.