title: Sarcoidosis can present with necrotizing granulomas histologically: two cases of ulcerated sarcoidosis and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder with cutaneous involvement present in 25% of cases. The presence of naked granulomas histologically is the hallmark of sarcoidosis. The presence of necrotizing granulomas is highly suggestive of other granulomatous conditions and leads the clinician to pursue other diagnoses, such as infectious causes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe two cases of sarcoidosis in which necrotizing granulomas were present on biopsy. Both patients had ulcerated cutaneous lesions of sarcoidosis. In one case, the presence of these atypical histologic features led to a delay in diagnosis of almost 10 years. We review the various histopathologic findings associated with cutaneous sarcoidosis and discuss a potential connection between ulcerated sarcoidosis and atypical histologic findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When atypical histopathologic features are present, the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis should not be excluded.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Noiles
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beleznay
authors.forename: Richard I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Au
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology