Retrospective assessment of immunologic and histologic heterogeneity in granuloma annulare by cytokine staining

BACKGROUND

Type 1 (Th1) and Type 2 (Th2) immunity have both been implicated in granuloma annulare (GA). To what extent these pathways contribute to clinical/histologic heterogeneity and/or distinct disease endotypes remains unexplored.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 30 GA biopsies with either palisaded or interstitial histology with and without eosinophils. We performed RNA in situ hybridization to assess how markers of Type 1 (interferon gamma), Type 2 (interleukin [IL]4, IL13, IL5), and Type 3 (IL17A) immunity in GA compared with canonical inflammatory disorders and whether markers correlated with histology. We analyzed another cohort of 14 patients who had multiple biopsies across anatomic space and time for individual conservation of histologic features.

RESULTS

Interferon (IFN)G staining is highest in GA relative to other cytokines. Type 2 cytokine staining is less prominent, with IL4 increased in interstitial pattern cases. Eosinophils did not correlate with Type 2 markers. Patients with multiple biopsies display intrapatient variability in histology.

CONCLUSION

Type 1 inflammation predominates over Type 2 inflammation in GA irrespective of histologic pattern. Distinct disease endotypes were not detected.

A Rare Association of Disseminated Granuloma Annulare With Recurrent Uveitis

Granuloma annulare is a benign chronic inflammatory granulomatous dermatosis with a variable clinical presentation. The disseminated form of the disease is characterized by a widespread papular eruption, primarily affecting the trunk, neck, and extremities. The development of granuloma annulare in patients with systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, malignancy, or dyslipidemia, has been extensively documented. Still, only a few cases of granuloma annulare associated with recurrent uveitis have been reported. Herein, we present a rare case of generalized granuloma annulare that was associated with concomitant recurrent uveitis in a 60-year-old male patient with a history of type II diabetes mellitus. A general physical exam revealed widespread erythematous papules in an annular pattern on the trunk, characteristic of granuloma annulare. A series of tests were conducted, including autoimmune workup, all within normal limits. Histopathologic findings revealed features consistent with granuloma annulare. The patient was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids for the uveitis and isotretinoin for the skin lesions. A close follow-up is recommended given the rare association of granuloma annulare and uveitis.

Relapsing subcutaneous nodules of the penis in a pediatric patient

A 14-year-old boy presented with a history of non-tender, subcutaneous coalescing nodules located on the ventral-lateral aspects of the penis shaft for one year. Laboratory investigations for blood count and autoimmunity were within normal limits. Complete excision was performed, and on histology, the dermis showed necrobiotic material composed of altered collagen bundles, surrounded by a palisade of histiocytes and scattered lymphocytes, thus allowing a diagnosis of subcutaneous granuloma annulare. Only 18 published cases reported penile granuloma annulare. Medical management was advocated in 7/18 cases, either as a first-line or adjuvant therapy where surgery was not radical. Three patients received high-potency local steroids: two cases underwent adjuvant sessions of intralesional triamcinolone, and one patient received pentoxifylline orally. Surgery should be considered a second-line option since 5/8 of treated cases eventually recurred. The pentoxifylline-treated case witnessed a relapse after drug discontinuation, while topical steroids lead to complete recovery without relapses.

Cutaneous Dermal Metastasis of Inflammatory Breast Carcinoma Mimicking Granuloma Annulare

Breast cancer can present as a wide range of cutaneous lesions at the time of diagnosis or months to years after a known diagnosis of breast cancer. Cutaneous sequela of breast cancer, including metastasis, have a diverse range of clinical appearances. Here, we describe the case of a 59-year-old female with stage IV metastatic inflammatory breast carcinoma presenting with a chronic worsening rash on her anterior chest wall. Biopsy results demonstrated metastatic carcinoma cells within the dermal lymphatics, consistent with primary breast cancer. To our knowledge, based on a thorough review of the literature, no previous case reports detailing cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer have identified a rash mimicking granuloma annulare. The present case highlights the importance of early dermatologic referral if any abnormal or persistent lesions appear in a patient with a history of or current treatment for breast cancer.

Papular Umbilicated Granuloma Annulare in a Patient With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Granuloma annulare (GA) is characterized by palisading granuloma, which is histopathologically distinguished by histiocytes arrayed in a palisade configuration encircling insoluble entities associated with degenerated collagen fibrils. The present case demonstrated multiple cutaneous papules showing palisading granuloma in a patient with SLE. A 39-year-old woman has been taking oral prednisolone daily, hydroxychloroquine sulfate, and belimumab for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A few papules appeared on the lateral side of the left arm and gradually increased around both sides. Physical examination found multiple firm skin-colored papules ranging in diameter from 2 to 3 mm on both forearms. Some of the papules had umbilicated tops. Histopathological examination showed degenerated collagen fibers with mucin deposition surrounded by histiocyte infiltrates in the dermis. These findings are characteristic of palisading granuloma. There are several GA variants, such as generalized, subcutaneous, and perforating GA. We considered several possibilities of the mechanisms underlying characteristic histological changes; atypical generalized GA variants, dermatofibroma, and granuloma associated with cutaneous vasculitis. We made the final diagnosis of papular umbilicated GA in the context of SLE.

Two Case Reports of Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma on the Palms

Elastolytic giant cell granuloma (EGCG) is a rare granulomatous reaction hypothesized to occur because of the altered antigenicity of elastic fibers, resulting in cellular immunological reactions. The hallmarks of EGCG include elastolysis, elastophagocytosis, and multinucleated giant cell infiltrations. EGCG was first described as an actinic granuloma or annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma that classically presents as centrifugally expanding annular plaques on sun-exposed areas. It was recently named EGCG due to reports of non-annular lesions in various sun-protected areas. Hand involvement has been described but is almost exclusively confined to the dorsal and lateral aspects of the hands. Herein, we report two cases of EGCG on the palms, an unusual site of presentation, that were successfully treated with topical, high-potency corticosteroids. EGCG should be included in the differential diagnosis in cases of annular skin lesions located on the marginal area of the palms.

Concomitant Subtypes of Granuloma Annulare in a 66-Year-Old Female: A Case Report

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, self-limited inflammatory skin condition with an unknown etiology. Although it usually presents with characteristic clinical features, a biopsy may be necessary in atypical cases to differentiate it from other granulomatous diseases. We describe a case of a 66-year-old female with two concomitant subtypes of GA, presenting with distinct clinical features but exhibiting similar histopathological findings. The patient had extensive, pruritic erythematous-violaceous lesions on her lower abdomen, buttocks, and proximal thighs, which had been progressing over the course of one year. Biopsies from the abdominal and thigh lesions showed typical histopathological features of GA, with mucin deposition, histiocytic infiltrate, and granulomatous formations. Treatment with oral antihistamines and medium-potency topical corticosteroids effectively controlled the itching but did not alter the lesion's appearance. Five months later, the patient developed new, pruritic, skin-colored, confluent papules on the internal face of her left arm, and a subsequent biopsy confirmed annular GA. Although the patient did not follow the prescribed dapsone treatment, the lesions spontaneously regressed within a year. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing less common presentations of GA, which can mimic other, more concerning conditions. While various therapeutic options have been explored, none guarantee complete remission; however, GA typically resolves on its own over time. A better understanding of the disease's pathogenesis and the development of targeted treatments are warranted to improve management strategies for GA.

Granuloma Annulare-Like Id Reaction to Inflamed Molluscum Contagiosum: A Case Report

Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a viral cutaneous infection common in children. It is characterized by umbilicated, skin-colored papules that typically resolve without treatment over several months to years. Immune response to the virus may cause inflammatory reactions, including molluscum dermatitis, inflamed molluscum, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome-like reaction, erythema annulare centrifugum, or even a generalized id reaction (a reactive inflammatory process driven by a separate condition that stimulates the immune system). We report a unique case of a granuloma annulare-like id reaction secondary to immune recognition of MC in a pediatric patient followed by rapid resolution of their MC.

Clinical Manifestations and Management of Pediatric Granuloma Annulare: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical manifestations, management, and outcomes of pediatric granuloma annulare.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), and EMBASE from inception to January 2021. We included all original reports of patients < 18 years of age with a diagnosis of GA and all original reports describing any intervention, including topical or systemic agents, in these patients. Two authors independently extracted socio-demographics and clinical data of the study patients, and treatment(s) used.

RESULTS

Of 2,440 reports screened, 202 were included (836 patients). The mean age was 5.7 (SD 3.8) years and F:M ratio 1.3:1. Localized GA (n=384, 46.8%) and subcutaneous GA (n=353, 43.0%) were the most prevalent subtypes. The most affected site was lower limbs (n=272/568, 47.9%). Suspected triggering factors were mainly local trauma. Diabetes was associated in 22 (2.6%) patients. The rate of spontaneous remission was high (n=140/155, 90.3%), with a median time of 12 months. The most frequent therapies were surgery and topical corticosteroids. Recurrence was observed in 38.3% (n=168/439) of patients, regardless of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric GA frequently resolves spontaneously yet displays a high recurrence rate. Hence, in asymptomatic forms, invasive therapies are not recommended as first-line treatment.

Macrophage Biology in Human Granulomatous Skin Inflammation

Cutaneous granulomatoses represent a heterogeneous group of diseases, which are defined by macrophage infiltration in the skin. Skin granuloma can be formed in the context of infectious and non-infectious conditions. Recent technological advances have deepened our understanding of the pathophysiology of granulomatous skin inflammation, and they provide novel insights into human tissue macrophage biology at the site of ongoing disease. Here, we discuss findings on macrophage immune function and metabolism derived from three prototypic cutaneous granulomatoses: granuloma annulare, sarcoidosis, and leprosy.

Generalized Granuloma Annulare Associated with Sjogren's Syndrome: A Case Report

Granuloma annulare (GA) is an uncommon disease in dermatology. Here, we report a case of generalized GA combined with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in a 65-year-old woman. To our knowledge, generalized GA combined with SS has not been reported before.

Subcutaneous Granuloma Annulare vs. Subcutaneous Vascular Malformations in Children: A Diagnostic Challenge

OBJECTIVES

There are various subcutaneous lesions in children and often there is difficulty in obtaining an accurate diagnosis by non-invasive diagnostic procedures. Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare granulomatous disease that, even after imaging, is often mistaken for a low-flow subcutaneous vascular malformation (SVM). This study aimed to accurately identify clinical and imaging clues to distinguish SGA from low-flow SVM.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed complete hospital records of all children with a confirmed diagnosis of SGA and low-flow SVM who underwent MR imaging at our institution from January 2001 to December 2020. Their disease history, clinical and imaging findings, management, and outcome were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 57 patients with granuloma annulare, we identified 12 patients (nine girls) with a confirmed SGA diagnosis who underwent a preoperative MRI. Their median age was 3.25 years (range 2-5 years). Of 455 patients diagnosed with vascular malformations, 90 had malformations limited to the subcutaneous area. Among them only 47 patients with low-flow SVM were included in the study and further analyzed. Our SGA cohort had a female predilection (75%) and a short history of lump appearance of 1.5 months. SGA lesions were immobile and firm. Before MRI, patients underwent initial evaluation by ultrasound (100%) and X-ray (50%). Surgical tissue sampling was performed in all SGA patients to establish a diagnosis. All 47 patients with low-flow SVM were diagnosed correctly by MRI. A total of 45 patients (96%) underwent surgical resection of the SVM. A careful retrospective review of imaging findings of patients with SGA and SVM showed that SGA present as homogenous lesions in the shape of an epifascial cap with a typical broad fascial base extending towards the subdermal tissue in the middle of the lesion. In contrast, SVMs always present with variable-sized multicystic or tubular areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows clear clinical and imaging differences between low-flow SVMs and SGA. SGA presents characteristically in the shape of a homogenous "epifascial cap," which distinguishes these lesions from multicystic heterogenous SVMs.

Hydroxychloroquine for granuloma annulare: A case report on secondary hair growth in alopecia universalis

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata can progress to become alopecia totalis (loss of hair from the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (loss of hair form the entire body), with the progression estimated to range from 7% to 30%. There are no universally proven therapies that both induce and sustain remission, and furthermore, the course of alopecia areata tends to be unpredictable, with ~80% of patients achieving spontaneous remission within 1 year. We herein present the case of a 61-year-old female who presented with a 20-year history of alopecia universalis, and biopsy confirmed widespread granuloma annulare. Hydroxychloroquine was initiated to treat her granuloma annulare, with subsequent significant hair regrowth on her scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and arms. A review of the literature is presented showing that hydroxychloroquine has variable success in treatment of alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.

Dermoscopy of cutaneous granulomatous disorders: A study of 107 cases

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous granulomatous disorders (CGDs) can share some features, but an accurate assessment of various findings and their pattern can be useful in differentiating them. In addition to common dermoscopic findings for CGDs, some peculiar dermoscopic characteristics can be helpful in distinguishing them.

OBJECTIVE

Herein, we aimed to evaluate dermoscopic findings in patients with CGDs and determine the dermoscopic criteria that could suggest the type of granulomatous disorder.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 107 cases including 75 (70.09%) males and 32 (29.90%) females with an established diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 49), cutaneous sarcoidosis (n = 23), granuloma annulare (GA) (n = 18), and tattoo granuloma (n = 17) confirmed by clinical and pathological studies were included. Based on the previous studies available in the literature, we wrote a checklist containing dermoscopic features of CGDs. Afterward, two dermatologists independently reviewed all dermoscopic images for the presence or absence of each item on the checklist. Descriptive analysis, fisher exact, chi-square, and t-test were used. The granulomatous disorders with larger sample sizes were selected for further analysis, including the univariate and conditional multivariate logistic regressions.

RESULTS

The most prevalent nonvascular findings in all of our CGD patients were white scaling (N = 67%, 62.61%), diffuse or localized orange structureless areas (N = 53%, 49.53%), and diffuse erythema (N = 48%, 44.85%). Furthermore, the most frequent vascular findings in all of our CGD cases were branching and arborizing vessels (N = 30%, 28.03%), linear irregular (N = 30%, 28.03%), and dotted vessels (N = 27%, 25.23%).

CONCLUSION

For differentiating leishmaniasis from sarcoidosis by dermoscopy, white scaling and white scarring areas are more suggestive of cutaneous leishmaniasis, whereas the presence of arborizing vessels would be more in favor of sarcoidosis. When comparing GA to cutaneous leishmaniasis, the latter significantly shows more linear irregular vessels, hairpin vessels, white scaling, and white scarring areas. In the case of differentiating sarcoidosis from GA, the presence of hairpin vessels would be suggestive of sarcoidosis.

Clinical and Histopathological Evaluation of Forty-one Cases of Pediatric Granuloma Annulare

INTRODUCTION

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a non-infectious granulomatous disease that can affect children and adults. Although many studies have been conducted in adult GA patients, the literature on pediatric GA cases is limited.

OBJECTIVES

Therefore, this study aimed to examine the demographic, clinical, and pathological features of pediatric GA cases.

METHODS

This study was performed retrospectively in a single-center tertiary dermatology hospital. Demographic characteristics and clinical and histopathological features were recorded.

RESULTS

Forty-one participants were included in this study, of which 66% were females. The mean age was 3.8 ± 2.6 years, and the mean lesion duration was 7.5 ± 10.3 months. The involvement of 78% of the patients was localized, and the remaining 22% was generalized. Asthma (30%) was the most common comorbid disease. Histopathological examination was performed on 21 patients, and the infiltrate pattern was interstitial in 71% of the cases and palisadic in 29%. Generalized distribution, trunk involvement, and concomitant disease tended to be higher in patients with an interstitial pattern than in those with a palisadic pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Atopy and asthma should be questioned in pediatric GA cases. There are differences between involvement, distribution, concomitant disease, and histopathological patterns, which may indicate differences in pathogenesis.

The epifascial cap: A typical imaging sign for subcutaneous granuloma annulare in children

Objectives

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare, self-limiting granulomatous disease in children, commonly diagnosed by histopathology following biopsy or surgical excision. This study aimed to identify imaging clues for SGA that could expedite accurate diagnosis and avoid the need for biopsy in children.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed complete hospital records of all children diagnosed with SGA at our institution from January 2001 to December 2020. Detailed disease history, imaging findings, management, and outcome were evaluated.

Results

We identified 28 patients (20 girls) at a median age of 3.75 (range 1-12.5 years). Ten patients presented with multiple lesions. Most lesions were located on the lower extremities (n = 26/41). Ultrasound examinations were performed on all patients, and 12 (43%) patients also received an MRI. Surgical intervention was conducted in 18 (64%) patients either by incisional biopsy (n = 6) or total excision of the lump (n = 12). In all patients who did not undergo surgery, SGA resolved spontaneously. A careful review of the MRIs led to the discovery of a characteristic imaging shape of SGA lesions: the epifascial cap with a typical broad circular base laying on the fascia, extending towards the subdermal/dermal tissue. This distinctive shape was evident in every patient in our cohort.

Conclusions

The "Epifascial Cap Sign" is a specific imaging sign for SGA, which to the best of our knowledge, helps distinguish this disease from other subcutaneous lesions. Recognition of this novel diagnostic sign combined with the historical and physical findings should enable clinicians to establish SGA diagnosis easily and diminish the need for further invasive diagnostic procedures.

Wolf's isotopic response: A case of dermatomal granuloma annulare after COVID-19 vaccination

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was announced in March 2020, with the first vaccines becoming available later that year. Although generally well tolerated, there have been reports of skin reactions occurring after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, with a rare occurrence of granuloma annulare. Granuloma annulare can occur secondarily to herpes zoster infection in a phenomenon known as Wolf's isotopic response (WIR). WIR has been described to often occur after herpes zoster virus infection, at the location of the healed shingles rash, termed 'post-herpetic isotopic response' (PHIR). We present the first reported case of PHIR with granuloma annulare after the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination series. This reported reaction should not limit receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine, but awareness of this association can minimise additional work-up and treatment.

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.

Skin Involvement in Paediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Skin involvement is an overlooked aspect in the management of paediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. A comprehensive search of published literature using the PubMed database was carried out using the following key terms: "children," "pediatric/paediatric patients," "skin," "skin disorders," "type 1 diabetes." Dermatological side effects are frequently observed among diabetic children and adolescents. Insulin-induced lipodystrophies and allergic contact dermatitis caused by insulin pumps or glycaemic sensors are the most common skin reactions in these patients. Furthermore, several diabetes-associated skin diseases such as necrobiosis lipoidica, granuloma annulare, vitiligo, and bullosis diabeticorum may already be present in paediatric patients. Paediatric diabetes specialists should pay attention to their patients' skin to recognize these disorders, identify the potential causes, and choose the most suitable treatment. Finally, the evaluation of skin concentrations of advanced glycation end-products using non-invasive diagnostic techniques may be used to assess the risk of chronic complications of diabetes as early as adolescence.

Is biologic therapy the future of granuloma annulare treatment?

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign inflammatory skin disease that presents with erythematous papules and annular plaques. The pathogenesis of GA remains unknown and may potentially involve type 1 T helper cell (Th1)-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. GA is associated with many conditions such as malignancy, trauma, thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, and viral infection. The role of biological treatment is under investigation. In this article, we present a case of GA development following systemic treatment of psoriatic arthritis in a 59-year-old patient; golimumab therapy resulted in the successful treatment of both psoriatic arthritis and GA. This is the first case report describing GA therapy using golimumab.

Treatment of Granuloma Annulare With Pentoxifylline and Oral Vitamin E: A Case Series

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a difficult-to-treat granulomatous skin disorder characterized by multiple annular, raised, and erythematous lesions. While numerous therapies have been proposed, there is currently no clear gold standard of treatment.

We present a series of five patients with biopsy-proven generalized GA who were treated with pentoxifylline and oral vitamin E. Each patient in this series had at least a one-year history of GA refractory to other treatments. After three months of treatment, four of the five patients demonstrated objective improvement in their lesions through before and after clinical photographs. No patients suffered any adverse events on this treatment regimen.

As our series has demonstrated modest benefits in concurrence with previously published studies, we recommend combination therapy with pentoxifylline and vitamin E as a strong contender for first- or second-line treatment for generalized GA. Pentoxifylline and vitamin E are advantageous for their tolerability, cost-effectiveness, minimal drug interactions, and convenience.

Generalized granuloma annulare in a case of breast cancer: A case report and review of the literature

Generalized granuloma annulare can be associated with breast cancer. Atypical granuloma annulare especially in older patients should alert physicians to the possibility of an occult malignancy.

Management of a Unique Presentation of a Common Dermatologic Condition

CONTEXT

Skin rashes are a common complaint seen in the primary care setting. There are many dermatologic conditions which a primary care provider (PCP) should be able to recognize and manage. One such condition is granuloma annulare (GA), which commonly presents as smooth, annular plaques on the trunk and/or extremities. Rashes like GA rarely present as unique variants and may be difficult for PCPs to determine from patient history and physical exam alone. Patch granuloma annulare (patch GA) is an example that may clinically mimic a cutaneous lymphoma known as mycosis fungoides (MF). PCPs should ideally be able to recognize the utility of performing a skin biopsy and/or referring the patient to a dermatologist when history and physical exam alone are insufficient. The histologic findings of skin biopsies often become essential in establishing a proper diagnosis and guiding patient management in unique dermatologic variants.

EXAMPLE CASE

The patient in this clinical practice report is a Caucasian female in her late 60s who presented to a dermatology clinic with a two-year history of a worsening widespread eruption on her trunk and extremities. She had been evaluated previously by her PCP about 4 months prior and, without obtaining skin biopsies, treated her with a medium potency topical corticosteroid cream. The eruption had spread over her hips, buttocks, back, thighs, wrists, and elbows. Multiple skin biopsies of affected sites were taken by the second author and revealed findings consistent with patch GA. The patient was started on topical betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% ointment twice daily and noted marked improvement of her symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Although GA is a benign condition of the skin that may be readily detected by PCPs, skin biopsies may be necessary to establish a proper diagnosis when this condition presents as a unique variant (e.g., patch GA). Therapy for patch GA often begins with a trial of high-potency topical steroid therapy in combination with ultraviolet light exposure, depending on disease severity and patient preference. Early evaluation with a skin biopsy by her PCP or an earlier referral to a dermatologist to have skin biopsies performed likely would have helped establish a prompter diagnosis and treatment plan for this patient.

Apremilast in the Management of Disseminated Granuloma Annulare

Granuloma annulare (GA) is a common inflammatory skin condition that manifests as annular skin colored to erythematous papules and plaques. Disseminated GA is a subtype of GA that presents with diffuse cutaneous involvement. While topical and intralesional corticosteroids and phototherapy have been used as therapies for GA, there is no consensus on the best course of treatment for GA. Apremilast is a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that has been Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers associated with Behcet’s disease; apremilast has also shown promise off-label for other inflammatory skin conditions. Here, we present the case of a woman in whom apremilast use led to an almost complete resolution of her disseminated GA. Our patient tolerated apremilast well and reported no side effects. We also review the literature on the use of apremilast in other patients with GA.

Inflammatory Skin Lesions in Three SARS-CoV-2 Swab-Negative Adolescents: A Possible COVID-19 Sneaky Manifestation?

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with various clinical manifestations, including skin lesions. In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down period numerous chilblain-like lesions, mainly located on the feet, were observed in adolescents. The latter were often asymptomatic or associated with very mild respiratory symptoms. Here, we report three cases of acral nodular lesions in SARS-CoV-2 swab-negative adolescents with histological findings of chronic immune-mediated inflammation and immunohistochemical evidence of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins in endothelial cells and eccrine sweat glands. In one of these cases, the virus presence was confirmed by electron microscopy.

Localized Versus Generalized Granuloma Annulare: A Retrospective Review of 407 Patients

BACKGROUND

Granuloma annulare has been linked to diabetes, dyslipidemia, thyroid disease, collagen vascular disease, malignancies, infectious hepatitis, and systemic infections. However, these associations have not been systematically investigated when categorized by its clinical variants.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate disease associations of localized and generalized granuloma annulare.

METHODS

In total, 407 granuloma annulare patients from 1989 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, categorized by clinical variant (localized or generalized), age (pediatric or adult), and diagnostic method (clinical or histologic). Descriptive statistical analyses and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. Fisher's exact tests were conducted to produce unbiased probability values.

RESULTS

Overall, 75.2% of the study sample was female, 47.2% had dyslipidemia, 24.8% were diabetic, and 24.6% had thyroid disease. Dyslipidemia (OR 2.15, CI 1.95-2.35, P < .001), diabetes (OR 1.16, CI 1.01-1.31, P = .041), and histologic diagnosis (OR 2.08, CI 1.21-3.52, P = .007) were associated with increased risk of GGA compared to LGA. When stratified by adult versus pediatric cases, dyslipidemia and diagnostic method remained significant, but diabetes did not.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating granuloma annulare by its clinical variants may help to determine disease associations with each variant.

Granuloma Annulare - A Manifestation of Primary Cutaneous Mucinous Carcinoma?

The objective of this report is to present a rare case of primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma (PCMC) manifesting with granuloma annulare (GA), and to discuss the association as a paraneoplastic phenomenon. A 65-year-old female presented with a painless, slow-growing, cystic nodule less than 1 cm over the left lateral canthus. The clinical presentation was highly suspicious of sebaceous cyst. The histopathologic examination revealed variable sizes of neoplastic cell clusters in a pool of abundant mucin. A focus of palisading lympho-histiocytic infiltrate surrounding a necrobiosis suggestive of granuloma annulare adjacent to the tumor is identified. Series of extensive investigations performed did not reveal any primary origin. GA can rarely be associated with various malignant conditions. Its association and prognostic importance to these conditions are unclear. The presence with certain malignancies and the resolution of GA with the treatment of underlying malignancy are an indicator that this condition can very well be a paraneoplastic phenomenon.

Subcutaneous granuloma annulare induced by acetazolamide

A 9-year-old boy presented with recurring subcutaneous nodules on both legs and knees temporally related each time to acetazolamide treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. A biopsy of one of the lesions revealed palisaded granulomas in the hypodermis around necrobiotic collagen and interstitial accumulation of mucin, compatible with subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case that establishes an association between SGA and acetazolamide.

Second-Strand Synthesis-Based Massively Parallel scRNA-Seq Reveals Cellular States and Molecular Features of Human Inflammatory Skin Pathologies

High-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) methodologies enable characterization of complex biological samples by increasing the number of cells that can be profiled contemporaneously. Nevertheless, these approaches recover less information per cell than low-throughput strategies. To accurately report the expression of key phenotypic features of cells, scRNA-seq platforms are needed that are both high fidelity and high throughput. To address this need, we created Seq-Well S3 ("Second-Strand Synthesis"), a massively parallel scRNA-seq protocol that uses a randomly primed second-strand synthesis to recover complementary DNA (cDNA) molecules that were successfully reverse transcribed but to which a second oligonucleotide handle, necessary for subsequent whole transcriptome amplification, was not appended due to inefficient template switching. Seq-Well S3 increased the efficiency of transcript capture and gene detection compared with that of previous iterations by up to 10- and 5-fold, respectively. We used Seq-Well S3 to chart the transcriptional landscape of five human inflammatory skin diseases, thus providing a resource for the further study of human skin inflammation.

Anti-CTLA-4 therapy-associated granuloma annulare in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapies activate the immune system to unmask cancer cells that the body might otherwise not detect. These cancer therapies alter the immune system at different "checkpoint" proteins such as PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 to better target tumor cells, but also have the potential to affect normal tissues. In patients receiving ICI therapy, cutaneous reactions have been frequently documented, ranging from mild urticarial rashes to widespread cutaneous necrosis. Proper identification and management of ICI therapy side effects is essential to the care of these patients. Here, we present an unusual granulomatous cutaneous reaction in a patient receiving anti-CTLA-4 therapy for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.