Treatment of granuloma annulare and related granulomatous diseases with sulphasalazine: a series of 16 cases.

BACKGROUND: Granuloma annulare (GA) and the related annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) and interstitial granulomatous dermatitis (IGD) are idiopathic histiocytic inflammatory disorders, which are frequently recalcitrant to treatment. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the efficacy of sulphasalazine in treating GA, AEGCG and IGD. METHODS: Sixteen patients were identified with granulomatous disease who were treated with sulphasalazine between September 2015 and September 2019. Outcomes were based on patients' and providers' subjective evaluations. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in the study (ages 56-89, four male and twelve female). Previous treatments were attempted in fifteen patients. Clinical improvement was seen in fourteen patients (87.5%). Initial improvement was noted within a mean (SD) of 66.4 (35.1) days after starting therapy, with increasing benefits over time. Ten patients (62.5%) reported complete or near-complete clearance, three patients (18.8%) reported significant improvement, and one (6.3%) reported partial improvement. Twelve patients elected to stop or reduce therapy, resulting in relapse or worsening in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sulphasalazine may be considered as treatment for GA and GA-related conditions.

Benign lymphangioendothelioma manifested clinically as actinic keratosis.

Benign lymphangioendothelioma is an acquired lymphangiectatic lesion that must be recognized and differentiated from angiosarcoma, early Kaposi's sarcoma, and lymphangioma circumscriptum. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with the clinical presentation of a possible actinic keratosis and the typical histologic findings of benign lymphangioendothelioma and an overlying actinic keratosis.

Persistent painful plaque due to a brown recluse spider bite.

The bite of the arthropod Loxosceles is known to cause subdermal hemorrhage, dermal-epidermal separation, inflammatory infiltrates, as well as occlusion and necrosis of small arterioles. We report a case of a brown recluse spider bite that presented as a chronic painful skin plaque, with the unusual histologic findings of a cutaneous and deep subcutaneous hyalinizing panniculitis and myonecrosis.

Transcranial eosinophilic granuloma manifested by a subcutaneous scalp mass. Differential diagnosis in children.

BACKGROUND: The differential diagnosis of nodular scalp lesions in a child is surprisingly extensive. OBJECTIVE: To present a case of eosinophilic granuloma that was manifested by a scalp mass in a pediatric patient. METHODS: The case is presented and the relevant literature is reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The seriousness of some of these lesions requires a thorough evaluation, including noninvasive imaging, and carefully planned surgical intervention so that effective diagnosis and treatment are ensured. Surgical exposure of unsuspected central nervous system connections may lead to infection, hemorrhage, seizures, or other significant morbidity and mortality.

Contact Allergen Avoidance Program: a topical skin care product database.

Management of allergic contact dermatitis can be challenging for patients because of difficulties they encounter while attempting to avoid antigens identified by patch tests. The disorder is commonly caused by fragrances, preservatives, or other ingredients found in skin care products. After patch testing, the clinician routinely educates the patient on the sources of the antigens to which he or she is sensitive. Because typical allergen names are long, are difficult to spell, commonly have numerous complex synonyms, and are often frankly intimidating for patients, compliance with allergen avoidance is frequently problematic. We have developed a Contact Allergen Avoidance Program database tool that generates an extensive list of skin care products that are free of the given patient's allergens. It has been used clinically for 2 years to facilitate successful antigen avoidance and has been positively received by both patients and clinicians.

Contact sensitivities in palmar plantar pustulosis (acropustulosis).

Acropustulosis, or chronic palmar plantar pustulosis (PPP), is a phenomenon of recurrent sterile pustules, erythema, and scaling affecting the palms and soles. Its pathogenesis is unclear, and it is difficult to treat. The purpose of this study was to elucidate further the factors involved in causing PPP, thereby enhancing the ability to manage this disease. All cases of PPP seen at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale from 1987 to 1993 were reviewed. 21 patients with PPP were identified, 15 of whom had been patch tested. 9 of the 15 patients (60%) showed positive patch test results. Fragrance was the most common sensitivity, but nickel, formaldehyde, para-phenylenediamine, thiuram, neomycin, mercury, balsam of Peru, and cinnamic aldehyde sensitivities were demonstrated. Less important factors included atopy, fungal and bacterial infections, and irritation. Although the mechanism of this sterile pustulosis response does not depend solely on delayed hypersensitivity mechanisms, we believe that we have demonstrated such a large number of positive patch tests in this chronic pustular dermatosis that patch testing should be considered in the routine work-up of these patients.

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.

Relevant contact sensitivities in patients with the diagnosis of oral lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: The concept of contact allergy aggravating or inducing oral lichenoid mucositis diagnosed as oral lichen planus (OLP) is well recognized but somewhat controversial. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify clinically relevant contact allergens that may be important in the management of patients with OLP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with OLP who had patch tests performed at Mayo Clinic Rochester and Mayo Clinic Scottsdale from 1994 to 1997 and 1988 to 1997, respectively. RESULTS: Patch tests were performed on 46 patients with a clinical and histopathologic diagnosis of OLP. Of these, 25 (54%) had positive patch test results. Eighteen (72%) of the patients with positive results had clinically relevant reactions. Of the patients with positive metal reactions, 5 had improvement after removal of the metal prosthesis or restoration. Six others noted that their most troublesome areas were adjacent to metal dental restorations. Six patients with reactions to flavorings and one patient with an acrylate dental retainer sensitivity had improvement after avoiding these allergens. CONCLUSION: Our findings support the concept that contact allergy to metals, flavorings, and plastics can be important in the pathogenesis and management of patients with oral lichenoid mucositis diagnosed as OLP.