Differential diagnosis of erythema nodosum
Abstract
Erythema nodosum (EN) is the most frequent form of inflammation of subcutaneous fat (panniculitis). The etiology of EN includes infections (streptococcal pharyngitis, Yersinia spp., mycoplasma, chlamydia, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, mycobacteria, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, amoebiasis, giardiasis), systemic diseases (including sarcoidosis, connective tissue diseases, inflammatory bowel disease), drugs (sulfonamides, amoxicillin, oral contraceptives), pregnancy and cancer; however, 55% of cases are idiopathic. The exact pathogenesis of EN is not known, but deposition of immune complexes in the venules of the septae in subcutaneous fat is suspected to be a cause of a neutrophilic panniculitis. It is characterized by tender, erythematous, subcutaneous nodules, typically located symmetrically on the anterior surface of the lower extremities, which resolve in weeks with a bruise-like appearance and do not ulcerate. It is often preceded by a nonspecific prodrome of fever, malaise, and symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection. Diagnosis of EN should include a complete blood count with differential; erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, evaluation for streptococcal infection, chest radiography and stool culture (to exclude parasitic infestation) and possibly a biopsy. The classical histopathological picture is one of a septal panniculitis lymphocytic infiltration with neutrophils, radial granulomas and absence of vasculitis. The differential diagnosis of EN should include: other types of panniculitis, vasculitis (e.g. leucocytoclastic or Behçet disease), other forms of erythema (erythema induratum, multiforme, migrans, infectiosum), tuberculosis, erysipelas and cancer. EN tends to be self-limited. If the skin changes persist, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or glucocorticosteroids are recommended.
Piśmiennictwo
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