Subcutaneous granuloma annulare in childhood: clinicopathologic features in 34 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To gather clinicopathologic data on subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA), a subtype of granuloma annulare that occurs exclusively in children and is histologically similar to rheumatoid nodules.


METHODS
Retrospective record review.


METHODS
Children <10 years old in whom SGA, deep granuloma annulare, or necrobiotic granuloma was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) from 1983 to 1998.


RESULTS
Thirty-four patients (21 girls and 13 boys; average age at diagnosis: 4.6 years) were found to have SGA. The lesions predominantly occurred in the lower extremity, especially in a pretibial location. Local recurrence within 1 month to 7 years was documented in 38.2%; recurrence at other locations was documented in 14.7%. Average follow-up was 60 months; during follow-up, no patients developed signs or symptoms of rheumatologic disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 2 patients, 1 before the development of SGA and 1 after it by 1 month.


CONCLUSIONS
SGA is a lesion that presents as subcutaneous nodules on the lower extremities, hands, or scalp in young children. Recurrence is common but usually does not warrant additional biopsy.
Grogg
K L
KL
Division of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Nascimento
A G
AG
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D016460:Granuloma Annulare / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies