|
| • | associated with DM in other patients |
| • | usually occurs on back of neck and adjacent upper back |
| • | involved areas can feel as hard as stone and skin markings are lost |
| • | histology: thickened dermis expanded by broadened collagen bundles separated by abundant mucin |
| • | mucin may only be present in noticeable amounts at the onset of the disease |
| • | multiple biopsies and the use of several stains may be necessary to demonstrate the dermal mucin |
| • | when scleredema follows infection, the condition is usually benign and self-limited, resolving spontaneously in 6 months to 2 years |
| • | associated with a benign monoclonal gammopathy of the IgG type |
| • | not associated with multiple myeloma |
|