Paraproteinaemia in erythema elevatum diutinum

Erythema elevatum diutinum with rare distribution as a first clinical sign of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a novel association?

We present a case of a 78-year-old man with erythema elevatum diutinum as a first clinical sign of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient developed erythema elevatum diutinum with an unusual distribution involving the trunk. Erythema elevatum diutinum is a rare dermatosis that is considered to be a localized, low-grade form of leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with neoplastic, autoimmune and infectious processes. It is probably mediated by immune complexes. Recent studies report hematological disease as the most common factor associated with erythema elevatum diutinum. Many hematological diseases, such as myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome and immunoglobulin (Ig)A monoclonal gammopathy, have been reported in association with erythema elevatum diutinum, but none with IgM monoclonal gammopathy and only one with malignant lymphoma. We would like to add IgM monoclonal gammopathy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as one of the diseases associated with erythema elevatum diutinum considering that the activity of erythema elevatum diutinum and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma fluctuated in parallel in the present case.

Erythema elevatum diutinum as a first clinical manifestation for diagnosing HIV infection: case history

CONTEXT

Erythema elevatum diutinum is a chronic and rare dermatosis that is considered to be a variant of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is probably mediated by immune complexes. It is generally associated with autoimmune, neoplastic and infectious processes. Recently, it has been added to the group of specific dermatoses that are associated with HIV.

CASE REPORT

We report on the case of a patient who had erythema elevatum diutinum as the first clinical evidence for diagnosing HIV infection. Dapsone was used in the treatment of this patient, and partial regression of the lesions was achieved within 15 days, even before anti-retroviral therapy was prescribed.

CONCLUSION

When there is a diagnosis of erythema elevatum diutinum, HIV infection should be investigated, especially in atypical and exacerbated clinical manifestations.

Erythema Elevatum Diutinum in the Setting of Connective Tissue Disease and Chronic Bacterial Infection

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare and chronic cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is predominantly seen on the extensor surfaces of the extremities. Although a specific cause is largely unknown, EED has been noted to occur in association with a wide variety of diseases. A 28-year-old man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a 53-year-old woman with an overlap syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis and polymyositis are presented. Both patients developed EED in the setting of chronic recurrent bacterial infections. Patients with a connective tissue disease are at increased risk for such infections secondary to immunosuppression, either from the disease itself or secondary to immunosuppressive therapy. EED has been independently reported to occur in the setting of connective tissue disease as well as in the setting of chronic infection. Our patients had both of these underlying conditions, which are known to predispose patients to immune complex-mediated vasculitides, in this case EED. One patient's EED responded to treatment of the SLE and the other improved, as has been previously reported with dapsone.

Late-stage nodular erythema elevatum diutinum

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare chronic vasculitic process of unknown etiology that presents as bilateral, symmetrical, periarticular, red-brown papules and plaques, often over dorsa of joints. Early histologic changes are characterized by leukocytoclastic vasculitis. With chronicity, the lesions develop dense neutrophilic infiltrate and fibrosis. We describe an unusual case of late-stage nodular EED present for 35 years in a seronegative 75-year-old man. Asymptomatic papules and plaques measuring from 0.7 to 9.0 cm were seen over the interphalangeal joints, elbows, knees, and ankles. The histologic findings were characterized by predominant concentric fibrosis that formed well-circumscribed dermal and subcutaneous nodules. Awareness of this unusual presentation of EED helps to avoid misdiagnosis as cutaneous neoplasms.

Monoclonal gammopathies and associated skin disorders

The monoclonal gammopathies are characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells and other clonally related cells in the B-cell lineage. These disorders include monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, heavy chain diseases, plasmacytoma, and primary amyloidosis. Many skin disorders have been described in association with monoclonal gammopathies. This article provides an introduction to the definition, detection, natural course, and spectrum of monoclonal gammopathies and a brief discussion of pathogenesis. The article also reviews the skin disorders associated with monoclonal gammopathies, categorizes the association, and evaluates the strength of the association.

Myelodysplastic syndrome and associated skin lesions: a review of the literature

The skin involvement of the myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) can take the form of either a neoplastic infiltration or various non specific lesions. The occurrence of these lesions may be the presenting feature of the disease (MDS) or may herald its progression to acute leukemia. Recognition and early diagnosis have therapeutic and prognostic significance.

Pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema elevatum diutinum and IgA monoclonal gammopathy

A patient with erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) developed pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Investigation revealed an IgA kappa monoclonal gammopathy. Previous reports of PG in association with EED are reviewed and the spectrum of the neutrophilic dermatoses discussed.

Simultaneous occurrence of two rare cutaneous markers of poor prognosis in myelodysplastic syndrome: erythema elevatum diutinum and specific lesions

We report the concomitant occurrence of erythema elevatum diutinum and specific skin lesions in a patient with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This patient's course, and review of other reported cases, support the opinion that neutrophilic dermatoses are associated with a poor prognosis of MDS. The simultaneous appearance of these manifestations could be the consequence of a particular chemotactism of myeloid cells, expressed after acute transformation.

Erythema elevatum diutinum associated with celiac disease: response to a gluten-free diet

An 11-year-old girl with a history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) associated with a celiac disease related to a possible kidney disease. Dapsone did not improve the skin manifestations. However, the lesions disappeared after a gluten-free diet was begun. To our knowledge, this report describes the first case of EED in a patient with celiac disease.

Association of hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D syndrome with erythema elevatum diutinum

Hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome was observed in a female patient with erythema elevatum diutinum. The association of this skin disease with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D may indicate a pathogenetic relationship. The skin lesions responded to dapsone therapy.

Erythema elevatum diutinum associated with Wegener's granulomatosis and IgA paraproteinemia

A 69-year-old man had erythema elevatum diutinum for several years before he developed IgA paraproteinemia and a limited form of Wegener's granulomatosis. This is the first report of an association between erythema elevatum diutinum and Wegener's granulomatosis. IgA paraproteinemia has been reported in association with erythema elevatum diutinum but not with Wegener's granulomatosis.

Erythema elevatum diutinum: a clinicopathological study

Erythema elevatum diutinum is a syndrome of vasculitis in which lesions, typically over the extensor surfaces, showed a mixed inflammatory infiltrate on biopsy. We describe a series of 13 patients. The most common association in our series was with hypergammaglobulinemia; both mono and polyclonal. Chronic infection, not streptococcal, was a less frequent finding although two of three patients had a positive reaction to the intradermal injection of streptococcal antigen. Dapsone remains the initial treatment of choice.

Urticarial vasculitis, IgA deficiency and C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency in the presence of an IgG monoclonal gammopathy--a case report

A female patient, currently aged 40, has attended our Lupus Clinic for 8 years with a clinical picture of urticarial vasculitis, joint pains, severe myalgias and abdominal pain which has occurred in bouts at irregular intervals. She has been found to have consistently reduced C4 levels, C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency and a persistent monoclonal band in the gamma region on electrophoresis. Her serum IgA level has been continuously low. Her symptoms have failed to respond to antihistamines and a variety of other measures but have been partially alleviated by immunosuppressive therapy ('pulsed' cyclophosphamide). We believe that this is the first patient described showing this combination of clinical and laboratory features.

Erythema elevatum diutinum in a patient with relapsing polychondritis

A 69-year-old man with a history of relapsing polychondritis developed a widespread cutaneous eruption that was clinically and histologically typical of erythema elevatum diutinum. This eruption was accompanied by a recurrence of arthralgias. The significance of this association between relapsing polychondritis and erythema elevatum diutinum, which has not been previously reported, is discussed.

Erythema elevatum diutinum: a clinical and histopathologic study of 13 patients

BACKGROUND

Erythema elevatum diutinum is a rare condition representing a chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE

Clinical and laboratory features of the disease were reviewed to better understand the disease.

METHODS

The medical records and histopathologic slides of 13 patients with erythema elevatum diutinum were studied.

RESULTS

The lesions were violaceous, deep red, or brown and typically were papules or plaques. Lesions were most often located on the extensor surfaces of the extremities. Associated medical problems included hematologic abnormalities in six patients: IgA clonal gammopathies (four), multiple myeloma (one), and myelodysplasia (one). Erythema elevatum diutinum preceded the myeloproliferative disorders by an average of 7.8 years. All patients showed vasculitis. Leukocytoclasia was present in 27 of 35 specimens. The predominant cell type in the inflammatory infiltrate was polymorphonuclear leukocytes or a mixture of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

The most significant finding of this study is the association of erythema elevatum diutinum with hematologic disease, most frequently an IgA monoclonal gammopathy.

Erythema elevatum diutinum in a patient with Crohn's disease

A possible association between erythema elevatum diutinum and Crohn's disease is described. To our knowledge, erythema elevation diutinum has never been reported in a patient with Crohn's disease, nor has the disorder been considered one of the cutaneous manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease. Erythema elevatum diutinum is believed to be mediated by the deposition of circulating immune complexes in the dermal perivascular spaces. Our patient showed clinical and histopathologic findings typical of both erythema elevatum diutinum and Crohn's disease. The patient also had a positive Raji cell assay, which demonstrates the presence of a circulating immune complex. Increased levels of circulating immune complexes have been found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and the gastrointestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease could lead to enhanced antigenic exposure and increased formation of immune complexes. We contend that inflammatory bowel disease may have contributed to the development of erythema elevatum diutinum in our patient.

Erythema elevatum diutinum--a case successfully treated with colchicine

A case of erythema elevatum diutinum, unresponsive to dapsone but successfully treated with colchicine, is described.