P E LeBoit1, C J Cockerell. 1. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0506.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare, chronic form of cutaneous vasculitis that can result in fibrosis. Four patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had unusual nodular lesions of EED. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to document the occurrence of these lesions in HIV-infected patients and to characterize the histopathologic and immunophenotypic features of nodular EED. METHODS: Clinicopathologic studies were supplemented by special stains of biopsy specimens. RESULTS: EED may be a complication of HIV infection. Nodules of EED are composed of small aggregates of Mac-387+ spindled cells. Within the aggregates can be seen neutrophils, nuclear dust, and fibrin. The marked fibrosis of the lesions may account for the lack of response to dapsone. CONCLUSION: EED should be considered in the differential diagnosis of juxta-articular nodules in HIV-infected patients; its diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy.
BACKGROUND:Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare, chronic form of cutaneous vasculitis that can result in fibrosis. Four patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) had unusual nodular lesions of EED. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to document the occurrence of these lesions in HIV-infectedpatients and to characterize the histopathologic and immunophenotypic features of nodular EED. METHODS: Clinicopathologic studies were supplemented by special stains of biopsy specimens. RESULTS: EED may be a complication of HIV infection. Nodules of EED are composed of small aggregates of Mac-387+ spindled cells. Within the aggregates can be seen neutrophils, nuclear dust, and fibrin. The marked fibrosis of the lesions may account for the lack of response to dapsone. CONCLUSION: EED should be considered in the differential diagnosis of juxta-articular nodules in HIV-infectedpatients; its diagnosis can be confirmed by biopsy.