Background:Granuloma annulare(GA) is a benign skin disorder of unknoun etiology. Even though some cases were reported in Korean journals, systematic reviews of clinical and histopathologic features of granuloma annulare were not dene. Objective:The p...
Background:Granuloma annulare(GA) is a benign skin disorder of unknoun etiology. Even though some cases were reported in Korean journals, systematic reviews of clinical and histopathologic features of granuloma annulare were not dene. Objective:The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and histological charcateristics of granuloma annulare. Methods:In a retrospective study including 38 patients and 44 skin biopsy specimens, we reviewed the clinical and histological features of granuloma annulare. Results:The results were as follows; 1. The ratio of female-to-male patients was 4.4:1 and in the majority of cases(68.4%), the onset of GA occured in the first three decades of life and the mean age of onset was 22.7 years. In the majority of cases(65.8%), the duration was less than 6 months and the mean duration was 22 months. 2. The clinical types were localized type(52.6%), subcutaneous type(26.3%), and generalized type(21.1%). 3. The lower extremities(42.9%), especially the knee joint was the most common anatomic site. 4. Ten patients(26.3%) have systemic diseases including diabetes mellitus(10.5%), thyroid disease, SLE, anemia, osteoarthritis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. 5. Nine patients(23.7%) have precipitating factors including seasonal variation, insect bite, stress, and irritation of shoes and 15 patients(39.5%) have associated symptomes including an itching sensation and pain or tenderness. 6. The histological findings were as follows;The histologic types were dermal granuloma(50%) and subcutaneous type(50%). The dermal granulomatous lesions consist of interstitial type(11 cases, 25.0%), palisading type(8 cases, 18.2%), perforating type(2 cases, 4.5%), and epithelioid tubercle type(1 case, 2.3%). Mucin deposition was detected in the 88.6%, eosinophils in 31.8%, and neutrophils in 13.6%. Conclusion:Granuloma annulare has various clinical and histological variants, and some cases are associated with systemic diseases. And we need to have an interest because recently granuloma annulares developed in immunocompromised patients, such as AIDS and bone marrow transplants.(Korean J Dermatol 1999;37(8):1001~1008)