Erythema nodosum induced by kerion celsi of the scalp

A 5-year-old girl presented with a 2-week history of a sharply demarcated, inflammatory, granulomatous lesion on the right side of her scalp. Shortly afterward, painful, subcutaneous nodules developed on her shins and thighs. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was isolated from the scalp lesion and a diagnosis of erythema nodosum induced by kerion of the scalp was made. The patient was started on oral therapy with 18 mg/kg/day griseofulvin, associated with topical crystal violet. Her erythema nodosum regressed in 10 days, while the kerion healed 6 weeks later, leaving residual scarring alopecia. Erythema nodosum represents a reaction pattern to a wide variety of inflammatory stimuli. The interest of this case lies in the unusual association of kerion erythema nodosum, of which only nine cases have been reported in the international literature.     

Nodules on localized scleroderma or morphea

BACKGROUND: Localized scleroderma or morphea usually appears as flat or depressed lesions. OBSERVATIONS: We report 3 cases of morphea with atypical appearance, alternating pigmented and depigmented patches with nodules or sclerous bands, occurring in adult men. DISCUSSION: The occurrence of nodular elements on generalized or localized scleroderma, although rare, was first reported in the literature by Addisson in 1884. These nodules usually appear during evolution. These scleroderma are then described as being keloidal or nodular. We report 3 cases of nodules on localized scleroderma which appeared at the beginning of the dermatosis and where the scleroderma had a similar unusual irregularly pigmented appearance.     

Multiple Segmental Eccrine Spiradenoma with a Zosteriform Pattern: A Case Report and Literature Review

Eccrine spiradenoma usually occurs as solitary tender nodules. However, it rarely occurs as multifocal localized tumors or has zosteriform distribution. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with a 20-year history of itchy lesions on the left side of the back and forearm with a zosteriform distribution. Before disease onset, almost no patients have inducing factors, but our patient received an injection beforehand; however, whether this was coincidental or causative remains unknown. The lesions became very itchy after perspiration or eating spicy food, which has never been reported. A literature search revealed 22 cases of multiple segmental eccrine spiradenoma; we summarized the clinical characteristic in order to aid diagnosis and treatment selection.     

Erythema nodosum in hemorrhagic rectocolitis and Crohn's disease

Erythema nodosum (EN) has been reported in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) since 1909. The reported incidence varies from 0.9 p. 100 to 18.9 p. 100. A wide range of incidence of EN has also been found in Crohn's disease (CD), with figures varying from 0.7 p. 100 to 8 p. 100 (fig. 1). Different criteria for the diagnosis of EN, UC and CD probably account for the scattering of values. A review of 324 cases of inflammatory bowel diseases revealed 21 cases with one or more episodes of EN: 6 out of 195 cases of UC (3.1 p. 100) and 15 out of 129 cases of CD (11.6 p. 100). The incidence was higher in females (5.7 p. 100 in UC, 17.5 p. 100 in CD) than in males (0 in UC, 6.9 p. 100 in CD). At the time of the eruption, patients with CD were younger (mean 24.3 years) then those with UC (mean 37.5 years). The interval between the onset of the intestinal symptoms and the nodular eruption was shorter in patients with CD (2.6 years) than in those with UC (8.2 years). The inflammatory bowel disease (whether UC or CD) started earlier in patients with EN than in EN-free patients. EN antedated the onset of intestinal manifestations in one patient with UC. In the remaining 20 patients the intestinal symptoms came first. EN was often recurrent, and the 21 patients suffered 32 episodes at varying intervals. One patient had 4 and another 3 episodes; six patients had 2 and 13 had one single episode. Three patients with UC had 2 episodes and 5 patients with CD had 2 or more episodes. The morphology and distribution of the lesions was fairly classical, except in 2 patients who had only 1 and 2 nodules respectively on one leg. The eruption subsided in all cases within 2 to 5 weeks, and no atrophy, suppuration or ulceration was observed. Most episodes of EN occurred during active phases of the intestinal disease. This was not so, however, in 2 cases in which the eruption followed an acute streptococcal throat infection. EN was more often found in total UC than in the less extensive distal and rectal types (Table I). It was also more frequent in the ileocolic form than in the exclusively ileal and colonic forms (Table II).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Lupus-erythematosus-like eruption induced by Trichophyton mentagrophytes infection

BACKGROUND: Several factors are known to trigger acute manifestations of lupus erythematosus (drugs, ultraviolet radiation, bacterial or viral infections, pregnancy), but fungal infections have never been reported to induce lupus-like lesions. We describe 2 children with tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes(TM), who developed transient skin and serological manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. PATIENTS: Case 1, a 3-year-old girl, had a kerion due to TM transmitted by an octodon, and a facial skin eruption suggestive of systemic lupus erythematosus. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were positive at 1:250. After griseofulvin treatment, the lupus-like rash completely regressed, and the ANA titre decreased. Case 2, a 4-year-old girl, had occipital kerion and an annular scaly erythema on the shoulder caused by TM. She also had a non-scaly rash on the face and a recent history of photosensitivity. The ANA titre was positive at 1:8,000. Cutaneous lesions disappeared after an 8-week griseofulvin therapy, and ANA titres decreased progressively. CONCLUSIONS: 'New pets' are usually the vectors of TM, especially familiar rodents like the degu of Chile (also named octodon). In our 2 cases, lupus-like rashes began before the onset of griseofulvin treatment, suggesting a pathogenic role of the dermatophyte. A wide variety of lesions named 'mycides' was described several decades ago associated with TM infections. We hypothesize that these mycides and the TM-induced lupus-like lesions reported in our 2 cases could represent the same entity.     

Etiology and Therapeutic Management of Erythema Nodosum During Pregnancy: An Update

Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most common form of panniculitis. It is characterized by erythematous, raised, tender nodules that usually occur bilaterally on the extensor surfaces of the lower extremities. EN is associated with many underlying conditions including infection, sarcoidosis, malignancy, and pregnancy. Its underlying etiology, however, is unknown in up to half of cases. Pregnancy is thought to create an optimal background for EN to develop, although the exact mechanisms are unclear. Immune complexes may play a role in the pathogenesis of EN during pregnancy, or EN may be a hypersensitivity reaction to either estrogens or progesterone. EN is a self-limiting process, and non-pharmacologic means such as bed rest and elastic web bandages may be sufficient to control the symptoms. Potassium iodide, systemic and intralesional corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, salicylates, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, hydroxychloroquine, colchicine, and dapsone are other treatment options available, but some of these drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy while others are considered safe. Before prescribing one of these treatments to a pregnant patient, the patient’s obstetrician should be consulted, and a careful risk-benefit analysis should be performed.     

Are Dermatophytid Reactions in Patients with Kerion Celsi Much More Common Than Previously Thought? A Prospective Study

Dermatophytid reactions are secondary eruptions in response to dermatophytosis. Only a few cases demonstrating an association between dermatophytid reactions and tinea capitis have been reported. Dermatophytid reactions were evaluated in patients diagnosed with kerion celsi. Patients admitted to the dermatology clinic of Van Regional Training and Research Hospital between November 22, 2012, and July 1, 2013, diagnosed with kerion celsi were evaluated for dermatophytid reactions. Six girls (32%) and 13 boys (68%) were included in this study. Dermatophytid reactions were detected in 13 of the 19 patients (68%). Seven patients (36.84%) had eczematous patches or plaques and three (15.8%) had papules. Eczematous lesions, papules, and pustules were noted in two patients (10.5%) and one (5.3%) had signs of an angioedema‐like reaction. Dermatophytid reactions in all patients were observed before the initiation of therapy. According to our clinical experiences, dermatophytid reactions in patients with kerion celsi were more common than reported. Eczematous scaly patches or plaques were the most frequently seen forms of dermatophytid in patients with kerion celsi. Dermatophytid reactions may occur before or after initiation of systemic antifungal therapy. Recognition of this reaction is important so that dermatophytids can be distinguished from drug reactions and the decision can be made whether to continue or to stop the systemic antifungal treatment.     

Erythema nodosum associated with COVID19 infection: A pediatric case report and review of the literature

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a common panniculitis characterized by tender erythematous nodules predominantly on the pretibial area and represents a hypersensitivity reaction to multiple triggers. COVID19 infection and vaccination have been associated with EN in the adult population. We report a pediatric case of EN following COVID19 infection and review the literature on COVID19 infection and COVID19 immunization-related EN.     

Mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor presenting as a subcutaneous tissue mass

Extragonadal germ cell tumors most commonly arise in the midline of the retroperitoneum or the mediastinum. Primary tumors involving the skin are very rare. Only one case of malignant primary germ cell tumor located in the skin has been reported. We present the case of a 44-year-old white man with a primary subcutaneous mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. This man had a long-lasting subcutaneous lump of the breast, which became painful. Surgery revealed 3 juxtaposed nodules. Microscopic examination showed a mixed germ cell tumor with a 90% immature teratoma component and a 10% embryonal carcinoma component. Testicular ultrasound and computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and brain were normal. Serum human chorionic gonadotrophin, beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase were within normal ranges. A further surgical excision was performed. The patient is presently alive with no evidence of disease after a follow-up of 7 years. Review of the literature indicates that primary cutaneous extragonadal germ cell tumors usually occur as cutaneous or subcutaneous solitary nodules or as ulcerated lesions. They mainly consist of mature teratomas in children. Only 2 cases have been reported in adults.     

Inflammatory Nodules of the Lower Legs: A Clinical and Histological Analysis of 134 Cases in Korea

We analysed 134 Korean cases with inflammatory nodules of the lower legs on the basis of clinicopathological findings, responsiveness to various therapeutic agents, and clinical course. There were 53 cases of erythema induratum (EI), 18 of erythema nodosum (EN), 40 of EN-like lesions of Behçet's disease, 15 of other entities, including superficial migratory thrombophlebitis, cutaneous periarteritis nodosa, sarcoidosis, malignant lymphoma, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and parasitosis, and eight unclassified cases. The unclassified group was composed of a spectrum of diseases with clinicopathologic features ranging between those typical of EN and EI. The present study revealed that the profiles of diseases featuring inflammatory nodules of the lower legs in Korea differed from those found in other areas. These geographic and demographic differences should be kept in mind when managing a patient with inflammatory nodules of the lower legs.     

Miescher's radial granuloma. A characteristic marker of erythema nodosum

Miescher, in 1947 and 1951, described peculiar radial nodules in erythema nodosum (EN). They consisted of relatively small histiocytes, radially placed around a central cleft. In early lesions, these nodules occurred in association with edema and infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes; later, giant cells originated from the outer borders of the granuloma. Miescher's radial granulomas (MRGs) are mainly located in the interlobular septa and in the deeper layers of the cutis. Although Miescher considered this structure as being specific for EN, it has largely been ignored in the subsequent literature. We have studied 79 biopsy specimens of EN and 182 biopsy specimens of other types of panniculitis. Sixty (76%) of the 79 biopsy specimens of EN disclosed some MRG whereas none was found in the other types of panniculitis. MRG is a characteristic and easily recognizable structure, even at low magnification, and appears to be a useful marker of EN. A detailed study has also been made of the histologic features of EN. Its variations, as well as those of MRG, are related to the chronology of the nodule.     

Kerion and dermatophytic granuloma. Mycological and histopathological findings in 19 children with inflammatory tinea capitis of the scalp

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory tinea capitis or kerion is the result of a hypersensitivity reaction to a dermatophytic infection. Majocchi's granuloma, in contrast, usually begins as a suppurative folliculitis and culminates in a granulomatous reaction. OBJECTIVES: To present clinical, mycological and histopathological findings for 19 cases of kerion of the scalp in children. METHODS: Nineteen children were investigated (14 boys and five girls) with a mean age of 6.5 years. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) exam and culture in Sabouraud dextrose agar were performed, followed by a biopsy with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) and Gomori-Grocott stains. The same investigations were carried out in four control cases of noninflammatory tinea capitis. RESULTS: Clinical history varied from 2 to 16 weeks (mean 6.6 weeks). Diagnosis was confirmed by a positive KOH exam: all cases except one had a positive culture. The following dermatophytes were isolated: Microsporum canis (32%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (27%), Trichophyton tonsurans (21%), Trichophyton rubrum (10%) and Microsporum gypseum (5%). The histopathological findings were: suppurative folliculitis (SF) 11%, SF plus suppurative dermatitis 37%, suppurative and granulomatous dermatitis (SGD) 26% and SGD plus fibrosing dermatitis 26%. Fungi were observed in 63% of the histopathological sections. Perifollicular infiltrates (PF) around the parasitized hair follicles were identified in the four noninflammatory control cases due to M. canis. CONCLUSIONS: Kerion Celsi is an inflammatory or suppurative type of tinea capitis caused by zoophylic dermatophytes (M. canis and T. mentagrophytes), but also by antrophophylic (T. tonsurans and T. rubrum) and geophylic (M. gypseum) dermatophytes. Histopathological findings showed a spectrum from mild suppurative folliculitis to dense granulomatous infiltrates without a clear relationship with the clinical features.     

Multiple elastofibromas

Elastofibroma is an uncommon fibroelastic tumor or tumorlike process that usually occurs between the scapula and the chest wall of elderly patients. This condition is rarely reported in the dermatologic literature, because it infrequently arises in the skin or within the subcutaneous tissue. We present a 78-year-old man with 15 separate subcutaneous nodules on the buttocks and upper extremities together with bilateral subscapular nodules. All specimens taken from different lesions were histologically confirmed as elastofibromas. As far as we know, this case with 17 distinct elastofibromas demonstrates the largest number ever reported in a single patient. Although the pathomechanism of the occurrence of multiple elastofibromas is unknown, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of multiple subcutaneous nodules.     

Sweet's syndrome evolved from recurrent erythema nodosum in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome

A 63-year-old man had painful nodules on his lower legs. Microscopic examination showed septal and lobular panniculitis composed of lympho-histiocytic infiltrates. Based on the clinical and histopathological findings, the diagnosis of erythema nodosum (EN) was made. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were temporarily effective, but the eruptions had repeated to the present, and 16 months later, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was diagnosed. Then, 6 months later, he developed a high fever and edematous fresh red-colored nodules on his neck, arm and upper trunk. Histopathologically, a diffuse, dense, dermal infiltrate of neutrophils was seen, and Sweet's syndrome (SS) was diagnosed. SS is known to develop in patients with MDS, and EN is one of the dermatoses that occur in conjunction with hematoproliferative disorders. Furthermore, SS evolving from recurrent EN and the simultaneous occurrence of SS and EN have been reported in some patients. In our case, we suggest that some mediators such as cytokines associated with MDS might have first induced EN, and then, as the MDS developed, they were replaced by others that caused SS.     

Erythema nodosum migrans

During 1963-1971 at the University Central Hospital, Helsinki, 438 patients with erythema nodosum (EN) were seen. Of these 56 were diagnosed erythema nodosum migrans (ENmi), which is considered only a clinical variation of EN. Only 3 of these patients were men. The mean duration of the eruption was 4.5 months. The number of nodules varied from 1 to 8. In 40 patients they were unilateral. No scarring resulted. Patients' general health was good. Fever and artholgia were rare.1 In half the ENmi cases no other disease or condition could be associated with the eruption. Of conditions possibly triggering the EN, pregnancy was recorded in 40 percent; streptococcal infections and sarcoidosis were next in frequency. The number of oral contraceptive users among EN patients was 2 1/2 times as high as expected based on sales figures. (According to the sales statistics 16 percent of women of fertile age in Finland take this medication while 40 percent of women of fertile age with EN were taking oral contraceptions at onset of the eruption. ) This supports the view that female sex hormones may influence the host response to various agents.     

结节性红斑的诊疗进展

结节性红斑是以皮下脂肪炎症反应为特征的炎症性疾病,临床表现为双下肢疼痛性红斑。病因主要包括特发性、感染、自身免疫性疾病、妊娠、药物、肿瘤等。相关检查包括皮损活检、血沉、抗“O”、结核试验、胸片、血常规等。应该对症对因治疗。如非甾体抗炎药、糖皮质激素、碘化钾、沙利度胺等免疫抑制剂可以用于严重难治性病例。中医中药治疗及物理治疗也有较好疗效。     

Intra-arterial angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia of the temporal artery: Report of two cases and review of the literature

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is a relatively common benign vascular disorder of uncertain etiology and has many synonyms, such as pseudopyogenic granuloma, atypical pyogenic granuloma, epithelioid hemangioma, and histiocytoid hemangioma. It usually develops on the head and neck, manifesting as reddish-to-dark purpuric papules or nodules. In this article, we report two patients who had uncommon intra-arterial ALHE that occurred in the temporal artery. In both cases, the ALHE presented as skin-colored subcutaneous nodules over the forehead, mimicking temporal arteritis. Histopathologically, intravascular epithelioid endothelial cell proliferation occurred, with lymphocyte and eosinophil infiltration in the stroma. One patient also showed typical findings of ALHE in the adjacent soft tissue. We know of seven similar cases that have previously been reported in the literature to date.     

Infantile myofibromatosis with visceral involvement and complete spontaneous regression

Infantile myofibromatosis is an unusual mesenchymal disorder characterized by the proliferation of tumors in the skin, muscle, bone, and viscera. Two types can be distinguished; the solitary type, defined by the presence of one nodule in the skin, muscle, bone or subcutaneous tissue; and the multicentric type which can be divided into two sub-types. In the first sub-type the lesions are multicentric but without visceral involvement, while in the second, visceral involvement is present. The prognosis of the disease depends on whether visceral involvement is present. Solitary and multicentric nodules without visceral involvement usually have excellent prognosis with spontaneous regression of lesions within 1 to 2 years of diagnosis. On the other hand, visceral lesions are associated with a significant morbidity and mortality, resulting from vital organ obstruction, failure to thrive, or infection. Death in these cases often occurs at birth, or soon after, and is usually due to cardio-pulmonary or gastrointestinal complications. The case being reported here, is that of a female newborn who had multiple skin, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, bone, and lung lesions immediately after bith. At the age of three years, the child is in good health, her psychomotor development is in accordance with her age group, and the lesions have completely regressed. This is a case of the multicentic type of infantile myofibromatosis with visceral involvement, where all lesions have spontaneously regressed. This is a rarity since the prognosis in the majority of such cases is poor.     

Trichophytin reactions in children with tinea capitis

Of 52 patients with proved Trichophyton tonsurans infection of the scalp, 16 had an inflammatory reaction to this infection (kerion), while the rest had only slight scaling and broken hairs (black dot ring-worm). Each patient was tested with trichophytin antigen to determine whether cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was responsible for the differences in these different clinical presentations. Fifteen of 16 with kerion had a 48-hour reaction greater than 10 mm, while none of the 36 with noninflammatory (black dot) tinea capitis had a similar response. This suggests that the patient's immune response (CMI) may be responsible for kerion infections of the scalp and that therapy could be directed initially toward suppressing this reaction.     

Erythema nodosum associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection

We report a 74-year-old woman who presented to hospital with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and 2 weeks later developed erythema nodosum (EN) on the legs, and was diagnosed with Yersinia enterocolitica infection based on her clinical course and microbiological examination of the stool. She also had a complication of pancreatitis, which made the diagnosis challenging. We should suspect infection by Y. enterocolitica when diagnosing cases of EN with gastrointestinal symptoms. We assume EN is likely to appear 2 weeks after the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms from our case and other case reports.