A case of anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B antibody-positive lipoatropy

A 66-year-old woman noticed cutaneous concavities of 2-3 cm in diameter on her upper arms in 1999. Similar lesions gradually developed on her forearms, chest, and back. Anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B antibodies were positive. The histopathological examination revealed a degeneration of lipocytes with infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages. An immunofluorescence microscopic study demonstrated no deposition of immunoglobulin and complement in the basement membrane zone. These findings led to the diagnosis of the inflammatory type of localized lipoatrophy. This clinical entity is equivalent to lipoatrophic connective tissue panniculitis. The pathogenesis is unknown; however, an autoimmune mechanism may be involved.