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Actinic granuloma
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Actinic granuloma

Contributors: Vijay Balakrishnan MD, Vivian Wong MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Actinic granuloma, also known as annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG), is a rare benign granulomatous and elastolytic skin disorder seen most frequently in middle-aged women with lighter skin phototypes.

AEGCG usually presents with annular, erythematous, photodistributed plaques with raised borders and atrophic centers. Plaques are usually asymptomatic and have been reported to appear suddenly and persist for varying durations, from months to years.

The pathophysiology of AEGCG is not fully understood. It has been hypothesized that solar radiation or heat alters elastin peptides and causes them to induce the formation of granulomata, which subsequently irreversibly destroy elastic fibers. While AEGCG is classified by some as a distinct entity, others view it as a variant presentation of granuloma annulare.

Case reports have described an association of AEGCG with underlying malignancies (acute myeloid leukemia, CD4 T-cell lymphoma, adult T-cell leukemia, and urothelial bladder carcinoma) as well as with other diseases (diabetes mellitus type 2, giant cell arteritis, and Hashimoto thyroiditis). It is unclear whether there is a causal, concomitant, or coincidental relationship between AEGCG and these diseases.

This entity is also known as "atypical annular necrobiosis lipoidica," "necrobiosis lipoidica presenting on the face and scalp," and "Miescher's granuloma of the face" in older literature.

Variants:
  • Generalized variant – Annular plaques or papules involving both sun-exposed and covered areas. It has an indolent course with a gradual dissemination and enlargement of existing lesions with eruption of new lesions over time.
  • Papular variant – Papular lesions instead of annular plaques.

Codes

ICD10CM:
L57.5 – Actinic granuloma

SNOMEDCT:
79144000 – Actinic granuloma

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Last Reviewed:06/26/2017
Last Updated:07/20/2017
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Actinic granuloma
A medical illustration showing key findings of Actinic granuloma : Dorsum of hand, Forearm, Forehead, Head/neck, Annular configuration, Erythematous plaques
Clinical image of Actinic granuloma - imageId=5687617. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Smooth pink papules and plaques on the dorsal hand.'
Smooth pink papules and plaques on the dorsal hand.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.