Generalized eruptive histiocytoma explained

Synonyms:	Generalized eruptive histiocytosis
Field:	Dermatology

Generalized eruptive histiocytoma (also known as "Eruptive histiocytoma," and "Generalized eruptive histiocytosis"^[1]) is a rare cutaneous condition characterized by widespread, erythematous, essentially symmetrical papules, particularly involving the trunk and proximal extremities.^[2]

Signs and symptoms

Generalized eruptive histiocytoma is a benign, uncommon kind of histiocytosis caused by non-Langerhans cells that is characterized by symmetrically distributed, brownish or reddish grouped papules on the face, trunk, and proximal extremities. These papules often develop into flares. On the mucous membranes, the lesions are rarely visible. They often go away on their own and may regress leaving behind some hyperchromic macules.^[3]

Diagnosis

Histological analysis reveals a monomorphous, devoid of foamy and giant cells, histiocytic infiltrate in the upper and mid-dermis. Studies using histochemistry and histoenzymatic analysis reveal lysosomal enzyme positivity but no intracellular buildup of fat, mucopolysaccharides, glycogen, or iron. Histiocytic cells have cytoplasmic laminated bodies but lack Birbeck granules, according to electron microscopy studies.^[4]

See also

• Non-X histiocytosis
• List of cutaneous conditions

Further reading

• Wee . Seong Ho . Kim . Hee Sung . Chang . Sung-Nam . Kim . Dong-Kun . Park . Wook-Hwa . Generalized Eruptive Histiocytoma: A Pediatric Case . Pediatric Dermatology . Wiley . 17 . 6 . 2000 . 0736-8046 . 10.1046/j.1525-1470.2000.01842.x . 453–455 . 11123777 . 31977709 . none.
• Kwinter . Jennifer . DeKoven . Joel . Generalized Eruptive Histiocytoma Treated with Isotretinoin . Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery . SAGE Publications . 13 . 3 . 2009 . 1203-4754 . 10.2310/7750.2008.07091 . 146–150 . 19426623 . 19730757 . none.

Notes and References

1. Book: Rapini, Ronald P. . Bolognia, Jean L. . Jorizzo, Joseph L. . Dermatology: 2-Volume Set . Mosby . St. Louis . 2007 . 978-1-4160-2999-1 .
2. Book: James, William D. . Berger, Timothy G.. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology . Saunders Elsevier . 2006 . 978-0-7216-2921-6 . etal.
3. Cardoso . Fernanda . Serafini . Natália Battisti . Reis . Brisa Dondoni . Nuñez . Mónica Daniela Gauto . Nery . José Augusto da Costa . Lupi . Omar . Generalized eruptive histiocytoma: a rare disease in an elderly patient* . Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia . FapUNIFESP (SciELO) . 88 . 1 . 2013 . 0365-0596 . 10.1590/s0365-05962013000100015 . 105–108. 23539013 . 3699943 .
4. Gupta . Sanjeev . Aggarwal . Kamal . Jain . VijayKumar . Sen . Rajeev . Gupta . Sunita . Generalized eruptive histiocytoma . Indian Dermatology Online Journal . Medknow . 1 . 1 . 2010 . 27–29 . 2229-5178 . 10.4103/2229-5178.73255 . free . 23130189 . 3481406 .