David L Leverenz1, Christopher Henderson2, Ankoor Shah3. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 2918, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. David.Leverenz@Duke.edu. 2. Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC 2918, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this review is to provide the reader with an updated summary of the cutaneous manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis, with a particular emphasis on the predilection of sarcoidosis for scars, tattoos, and other areas of traumatized skin. RECENT FINDINGS: While the mechanism underlying the propensity for traumatized skin to develop sarcoidosis lesions remains unclear, several theories have been proposed including the idea that cutaneous sarcoidosis represents an exuberant, antigen-driven foreign-body response, as well as the theory that traumatized skin represents an immunocompromised district with altered local immune trafficking and neural signaling. In this review, we present two cases in which the development of cutaneous lesions in scars and tattoos was integral to the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. We then review the various cutaneous manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis, the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of scar and tattoo sarcoidosis, the proposed mechanism by which traumatized skin is prone to developing sarcoidosis lesions, and current treatments for cutaneous sarcoidosis.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this review is to provide the reader with an updated summary of the cutaneous manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis, with a particular emphasis on the predilection of sarcoidosis for scars, tattoos, and other areas of traumatized skin. RECENT FINDINGS: While the mechanism underlying the propensity for traumatized skin to develop sarcoidosis lesions remains unclear, several theories have been proposed including the idea that cutaneous sarcoidosis represents an exuberant, antigen-driven foreign-body response, as well as the theory that traumatized skin represents an immunocompromised district with altered local immune trafficking and neural signaling. In this review, we present two cases in which the development of cutaneous lesions in scars and tattoos was integral to the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. We then review the various cutaneous manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis, the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of scar and tattoo sarcoidosis, the proposed mechanism by which traumatized skin is prone to developing sarcoidosis lesions, and current treatments for cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Entities:
Keywords:
Allergy and immunology; Cutaneous sarcoidosis; Dermatology; Rheumatology; Scar; Tattoo
Authors: Ana María Morales-Callaghan; Miguel Aguilar-Bernier; Gerardo Martínez-García; Alberto Miranda-Romero Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2006-08-28 Impact factor: 11.527