A Monocentric, Retrospective Analysis of 61 Patients with Generalized Granuloma Annulare

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (20 MHz) and Cryotherapy as Therapeutic Options for Granuloma Annulare and Other Inflammatory Skin Conditions

INTRODUCTION

In dermatology, inflammatory skin conditions impose a substantial burden worldwide, with existing therapies showing limited efficacy and side effects. This report aims to compare a novel immunological activation induced by hyperthermic 20 MHz high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) with conventional cryotherapy. The bioeffects from the two methods are initially investigated by numerical models, and subsequently compared to clinical observations after treatment of a patient with the inflammatory disease granuloma annulare (GA).

METHODS

Clinical responses to moderate energy HIFU and cryotherapy were analysed using numerical models. HIFU-induced pressure and heat transfer were calculated, and a three-layer finite element model simulated temperature distribution and necrotic volume in the skin. Model output was compared to 22 lesions treated with HIFU and 10 with cryotherapy in a patient with GA.

RESULTS

Cryotherapy produced a necrotic volume of 138.5 mm3 at - 92.7 °C. HIFU at 0.3-0.6 J/exposure and focal depths of 0.8 or 1.3 mm generated necrotic volumes up to only 15.99 mm3 at temperatures of 68.3-81.2 °C. HIFU achieved full or partial resolution in all treated areas, confirming its hyperthermic immunological activation effect, while cryotherapy also resolved lesions but led to scarring and dyspigmentation.

CONCLUSION

Hyperthermic immunological activation of 20 MHz HIFU shows promise for treating inflammatory skin conditions as exemplified by GA. Numerical models demonstrate minimal skin necrosis compared to cryotherapy. Suggested optimal HIFU parameters are 1.3 mm focal depth, 0.4-0.5 J/exposure, 1 mm spacing, and 1 mm margin. Further studies on GA and other inflammatory diseases are recommended.

Characterizing Granuloma Annulare in 73 Pediatric Patients

Background

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common, benign, idiopathic inflammatory dermatosis. Aside from case reports and small studies, there are limited data about the characteristics of GA in children.

Objective

This study aimed to better characterize the epidemiologic and clinical features, triggering factors, disease associations, and outcomes of GA in the pediatric population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 73 pediatric patients diagnosed with GA at the University of Rochester Medical Center over a 7-year period.

Results

The most common subtype was localized GA (71.2%, n = 52), followed by subcutaneous (also known as "deep GA"; 16.4%, n = 12) and generalized (12.3%, n = 9) subtypes. Over 90% of patients had idiopathic GA, with the remaining patients reporting viral infection or trauma as triggers. Half of the patients studied had comorbid conditions, most frequently atopic dermatitis (17.8%, n = 13), obesity (9.59%, n = 7), asthma (6.85%, n = 5), and allergic rhinitis (6.85%, n = 5). The median duration of the disease was 11.00 months (interquartile range (IQR) 15.75 months); generalized GA had the shortest duration (median 10.00 months, IQR 15.50 months), while subcutaneous GA had the longest duration (median 12.00 months and IQR 29.00 months). Although recurrence rates for subcutaneous and generalized GA were high at 45.5% and 33.3%, respectively, most patients achieved clearance or improvement with treatment.

Conclusion

Most cases of GA in our study were idiopathic, with no clear differences between GA subtypes and associated comorbidities. Topical steroids were the most prescribed treatment with mixed efficacy.

Efficacy and Satisfaction of Low Doses UVA1 Phototherapy: A Spanish Experience from a Single Centre

Background: UVA1 phototherapy is a treatment used for multiple dermatological conditions. The optimal therapeutic regimens and dosing of UVA1 are a matter of debate. The dosages used vary widely between published studies and there are no evidence-based protocols that provide data on dosage, duration, or the role of maintenance therapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the experience in our medical center regarding treatment with UVA1, as well as the degree of patient satisfaction with the treatment according to their pathology. Methods: We present a retrospective evaluation of outcomes, treatment tolerability, and satisfaction in adult patients using a low dose of UVA1 phototherapy, administered in our dermatologic service between 2019 and 2022. Results: A total of 78 patients were treated with UVA1, of whom 46 patients (59%) were over 18 years old, completed treatment, and gave their consent. The overall objective clinical response rate was 91.30% (42/46), achieving a complete response in 17 (36.96%) patients, partial response in 25 (54.34%), and no response in 4 (8.70%). The complete response rates recorded were high in morphea, scleredema, or chronic hand eczema. In terms of the level of satisfaction objectively measured by TSQM-9 version 1.4, highlighting high scores obtained in mastocytosis, systemic sclerosis, morphea, scleredema, chronic hand eczema, or prurigo nodularis (over 65 points). Conclusions: We present a review of treatment with UVA1 phototherapy at low doses with good response in a wide variety of dermatological pathologies.

Treatment of Generalized Granuloma Annulare with Oral Griseofulvin

Background. Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign skin disease that has four clinical variants including localized, generalized, perforating, and subcutaneous GA. The most common type is localized GA, followed by generalized GA. Generalized GA was defined as at least 10 widespread annular plagues and frequently on the trunk, face, neck, and extremities. The diagnosis was made by clinical and histopathology. Generalized GA was difficult to treat. Case Presentation. We presented a Thai woman with nonscaly annular papules and plaques on the trunk and all extremities. A skin biopsy revealed a lesion that was compatible with granuloma annulare. She was partially resolved with 2-month course of oral griseofluvin 500 mg daily. Discussion. The regression of GA response to oral griseofulvin is consistent with the inflammatory nature, which identified IFN-gamma upregulated in GA. Conclusion. Griseofulvin is safe with few side effects and cost effectiveness. Further studies are needed to better understand the immunology and pathogenesis of GA.

Light- and laser-based treatments for granuloma annulare: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Granuloma annulare (GA) is challenging to treat, especially when generalized. A systematic review to support the use of light- and laser-based treatments for GA is lacking.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review by searching Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Embase. Title, abstract, full-text screening, and data extraction were done in duplicate. Quality appraisal was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool for case series.

RESULTS

Thirty-one case series met the inclusion criteria, representing a total of 336 patients. Overall, psoralen ultraviolet light A (PUVA) showed the greatest frequency of cases with complete response (59%, n = 77/131), followed by photodynamic therapy (PDT) (52%, n = 13/25), ultraviolet light B (UVB)/narrowband UVB (nbUVB)/excimer laser (40%, n = 19/47), UVA1 (31%, n = 27/86), and lasers (29%, n = 8/28). Overall across treatment modalities, higher response rates were seen in localized GA compared to generalized GA.

CONCLUSIONS

The body of evidence for light- and laser-based treatment of GA is sparse. Our results suggest that PUVA has a high clearance rate for GA but its use may be limited by concerns of carcinogenesis. Although PDT has the second highest clearance rate, adverse effects, small sample sizes, impractical treatment delivery (especially with generalized disease), and long-term concerns of carcinogenesis may limit its use. Although UVB/nbUVB/excimer laser appeared slightly less effective than other light therapies, we recommend UVB/nbUVB/excimer laser therapy as a first-line treatment for patients with generalized GA given wider availability and a favorable long-term safety profile.

Granuloma Annulare: An Updated Review of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Options

Granuloma annulare (GA) is an inflammatory granulomatous skin disease that can be localized (localized GA) or disseminated (generalized GA), with patch, perforating, and subcutaneous subtypes being less common variants of this benign condition. Recently, new research has emerged that further elucidates GA epidemiology and etiopathogenesis; importantly, new therapeutic options for GA have also been described, although there remains a paucity of randomized controlled studies. In this review, we summarize recent updates on GA epidemiology and etiopathogenesis and offer an updated review of the therapeutic options for GA currently reported in the literature. We hope that the current review galvanizes randomized controlled studies that will in turn help lead to the recommendation of evidence-based treatments for GA.

Association of Nonalcoholic Hepatic Fibrosis with Body Composition in Female and Male Psoriasis Patients

Psoriasis has been associated with increased frequency of hepatic diseases. Psoriasis severity, obesity, insulin resistance, aspartate aminotransferase level, platelet count, and alcohol use are significant predictors for advanced fibrosis in psoriasis patients. Although psoriasis patients also present body composition changes (e.g., higher overall body fat, visceral fat and sarcopenia), and these have recently been reported as risk factors for hepatic fibrosis, to date, body composition has not been prospectively investigated in psoriasis in the context of liver fibrosis. In this study anthropometric assessment (body weight and body mass index (BMI)), body composition analysis (body fat%, visceral fat scores and muscle mass%), and liver stiffness measurements (using transient elastography [TE]) were done in 52 psoriasis patients undergoing methotrexate therapy. Fourteen patients (26.9%) had advanced (F3–F4) liver fibrosis. There was no correlation between the patients’ liver stiffness values and the cumulative MTX doses. On the other hand, patients with higher BMI values, total body fat% and visceral fat scores were significantly more likely to present with higher hepatic stiffness values. BMI was a significant predictor of hepatic fibrosis in both genders. In males, body fat% (R = 0.578, p = 0.002) and, especially, visceral fat scores (R = 0.716, p < 0.001) had statistically significant correlation with stiffness scores, while in females only visceral fat scores were statistically significant predictors of the liver stiffness values (R = 0.452, p = 0.023), and body fat% was not (R = 0.187, p = 0.382). Our results suggest that anthropometric data should be assessed differently in female and male psoriasis patients when evaluating liver fibrosis risk.

Granuloma annulare - is it a paraneoplastic condition for malignant lymphoma?

In recent years, an association between granuloma annulare and the occurrence of malignant cutaneous lymphomas in the sense of a facultative paraneoplasia has been observed several times. The aim of the present work is to provide an overview of the currently available literature on granuloma annulare as well as an analysis of its association with cutaneous lymphomas. Using the example of two patients with granuloma annulare and associated cutaneous lymphomas, we would like to sensitize clinically active dermatologists and dermatopathologists to the possible association between these two diseases. Characteristic features and clinicopathological signs are discussed, which should raise suspicion of an associated malignant lymphoma. It is recommended to rule out an underlying cutaneous and/or extracutaneous lymphoma in unusual clinical constellations (for instance distribution pattern, subjective complaints, age at first manifestation, lack of response to conventional therapy), especially in the absence of other known clinical triggers of granuloma annulare such as insect bites, trauma or varicella-zoster infections, among others. However, in individual cases the criteria mentioned here justify lymphoma screening.

A Review of the Dermatological Complications of Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of large and medium-sized vessels. It is the most common vasculitis among elderly people in Europe and North America. GCA usually presents with ischemic cranial manifestations such as headache, scalp tenderness, visual manifestations, and claudication of the tongue and jaw. Thickness and tenderness of temporal arteries are the most recognizable signs of GCA on physical examination. Laboratory tests usually show raised acute phase reactants. Skin manifestations are uncommon in GCA and are rarely found as a presenting symptom of GCA. Necrosis of the scalp and tongue is the most common ischemic cutaneous manifestation of GCA. Although infrequent, when present it reflects severe affection and poor prognosis of GCA. Panniculitis-like lesions have been reported in the setting of GCA, with nodules being the most common finding. Other entities, such as generalized granuloma annulare or basal cell carcinoma have been occasionally described in GCA patients. Prompt recognition and initiation of therapy are crucial to prevent serious complications of GCA. When high suspicion of GCA exists, immediate administration of glucocorticoids is recommended. It is advisable to refer the patient to a specialist GCA team for further multidisciplinary assessment.