Granuloma annulare

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Granuloma annulare
Granuloma annulare.jpg
Perforating Form of Granuloma Annulare on hand
Classification and external resources
Specialty Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
ICD-10 L92.0
ICD-9-CM 695.89
DiseasesDB 5414
MedlinePlus 000833
eMedicine derm/169
Patient UK Granuloma annulare
MeSH D016460
[[[d:Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 863: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|edit on Wikidata]]]

Granuloma annulare is a fairly rare, chronic dermatological condition which presents as reddish bumps on the skin arranged in a circle or ring. It can initially occur at any age and is significantly more common in females (80/20 ratio).

Types

Granuloma annulare may be divided into the following types:[1]:703–5

Causes

The condition is usually seen in otherwise healthy people. Occasionally, it may be associated with diabetes or thyroid disease. It has also been associated with auto-immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Addison's disease. At this time no conclusive connection has been made between patients.

Presentation

Micrograph showing a palisaded granuloma in a case of granuloma annulare. H&E stain.

Aside from the visible rash, granuloma annulare is usually asymptomatic. Sometimes the rash may burn or itch. Patients usually notice a ring of small, firm bumps (papules) over the backs of the forearms, hands or feet, often centered on joints or knuckles. The bumps are caused by the clustering of T cells below the skin. These papules start as very small, pimple looking bumps, which spread over time from that size to dime, quarter, half-dollar size and beyond. Occasionally, multiple rings may join into one. Rarely, granuloma annulare may appear as a firm nodule under the skin of the arms or legs. It also occurs on the sides and circumferential at the waist and without therapy can continue to be present for many years. Outbreaks continue to develop at the edges of the aging rings.

Pathology

Granuloma annulare, microscopically, consists of dermal epithelioid histiocytes around a central zone of mucin - a so-called palisaded granuloma.

Prognosis and treatment

Because granuloma annulare is usually asymptomatic and self-limiting with a course of about 2 years, treatment is not necessary except for cosmetic reasons. Initial treatment is generally topical steroid creams, followed by oral steroids and finally intradermal injections at the site of each ring.[2] Treatment success varies widely, with most patients finding only brief success with the above mentioned treatments. New research out of India suggests that the combination of rifampin (600 mg), ofloxacin (400 mg), and minocycline hydrochloride (100 mg) once monthly, or ROM therapy, produces promising results.[3] Most lesions of granuloma annulare disappear in pre-pubertal patients with no treatment within two years while older patients (50+) have rings for upwards of 20 years. The appearance of new rings years later is not uncommon.[4]

History

The disease was first described in 1895 by Thomas Colcott Fox and it was named granuloma annulare by Henry Radcliffe Crocker in 1902.[5]

See also

References

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  2. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/granuloma-annulare-treatment.html
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External links