Pathology of Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma

Dr Sampurna Roy MD                             2022

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma was first described  in patients in the fourth and fifth decades of life.

These lesions are primarily distributed on the head and neck.

Microscopic features include a granulomatous reaction with many foreign body giant cells and histiocytes in the dermis at the annular rim.

The giant cells engulf elastotic fibers (elastoclasis).

Centrally, there is loss of both elastotic fibers or the presence of solar elastotic material.

Actinic granuloma is a term coined by O'Brien in 1975 to describe a cutaneous process characterized by multiple annular lesions located on sun-exposed skin areas.

The histopathology is defined by the presence of multinucleated giant cells containing elastic fibres at the lesion edge, and the absence of these fibres at the lesion centre.

Actinic granuloma and annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma are terms commonly applied to cutaneous lesions characterized by elastolysis, elastophagocytosis and a multinucleated cell infiltrate.

Since the initial description of actinic granuloma, debate has continued over whether it should be considered a specific condition or simply "Granuloma Annulare" located in sun-exposed areas of skin.

According to some dermatopathologist actinic granuloma is a separate, independent condition and should be distinguished from Granuloma Annulare even in sun- exposed areas of skin.

Papular variant of annular elastolytic giant-cell granuloma.

Generalized annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma with sparing of striae distensae.

Hybrid Clinical and Histopathological Pattern in Annular Lesions: An Overlap between Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma and Granuloma Annulare?

Unilateral Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma in a Hemiplegic Stroke Patient.

Generalized annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma with sparing of striae distensae.

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma--case report.

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma associated with diabetes mellitus: a case report and review of the Japanese literature.

Elastolytic granulomas of the legs in familial visceral lymphangiodysplasia with chronic lymphedema.

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma in an infant: improvement after treatment with oral tranilast and topical pimecrolimus.

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma causes an irreversible disappearance of the elastic fibres.