Lupus pernio

This is a cutaneous manifestation of sarcoid in which blue-red nodules may be present on the nose, face and hands.

Click here for an example image of this conditon

Lupus pernio (LP) is pathognomonic of sarcoidosis (1)

• it is a chronic papulonodular eruption which consists of violaceous, indurated papules, nodules, and plaques, these lesions may become hardened and fibrotic
• more common in women than in men (2)
• commonly seen around the central face, and especially the alar rim of the nose
• there can be associated
  • lytic and cystic bone lesions - especially in the hands and feet
  • granulomatous inflammation of the upper respiratory tract with resulting airway obstruciton even in mild cases e.g. - lesions on the nasal rim is associated with sarcoidosis of the lungs (in up to 75% cases) and upper respiratory tract (in up to 50% of cases) (1)

Reference:

• 1. Lodha S et al. Sarcoidosis of the skin: a review for the pulmonologist. Chest. 2009;136(2):583-96.
• 2. Dempsey OJ et al. Sarcoidosis. BMJ. 2009 Aug 28;339:b3206