Granulomatous Disorders of the Skin

Abstract

Granulomatous inflammation is seen in a wide range of skin conditions including infections, neoplasms and inflammatory disorders. This chapter addresses three important idiopathic granulomatous disorders of the skin. The first two, granuloma annulare and necrobiosis lipoidica, are relatively common. Treatment is of uncertain value and is generally disappointing. Granuloma annulare usually resolves spontaneously over years but necrobiosis lipoidica tends to persist. Their association with systemic disorders is discussed. The third, cutaneous Crohn disease, is uncommon. It may affect the skin by direct extension causing swelling and ulceration or occasionally may involve distant sites, so‐called metastatic Crohn disease. Cutaneous sarcoidosis is addressed in another chapter.