title: Cutaneous findings in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous findings associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) remain largely undescribed in the literature, yet are substantial and correlative with disease course.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To catalog the clinical findings of cutaneous eruptions associated with HLH.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of patients meeting the criteria for HLH at two hospitals over 5 years. All patients meeting the criteria for HLH as defined by the HLH-2004 protocol were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cutaneous lesions were categorized based on clinical presentations and histology. Lesions independent of immunocompromised state were observed, including pyoderma gangrenosum, panniculitis, morbilliform eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, atypical targetoid lesions and bullae. Histologic findings were non-specific.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cutaneous eruptions as a consequence of HLH are variable in presentation and identified as a diagnosis of exclusion. Findings are both primarily and secondarily induced by altered immunity. Further study is needed to allow better understanding of the immunopathogenesis involved.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C., USA.
authors: Michele L
authors: ML
authors: Zerah
authors: Christine A
authors: CA
authors: DeWitt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D051359:Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult