Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia Presenting as Atypical Rosacea with Follicular Mucinosis

Abstract

A case is described in which the initial clinical and histological features were suggestive of rosacea. Subsequent progress revealed the diagnosis to be chronic lymphatic leukemia. The initial biopsy specimens were reviewed and small but definite quantities of follicular mucinosis were noted after appropriate staining. If this had been noted earlier the diagnosis would have been made more rapidly. This case demonstrates the importance of detecting follicular mucinosis. We are not aware of follicular mucinosis having been described in association with chronic lymphatic leukemia previously. It is also rare for leukemias other than the monocytic type to present with cutaneous lesions, though skin lesions may occur in established cases.