[Icthyosiform erythroderma: atypical manifestation of sarcoidosis]

Specific cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis can be extremely varied. We report one observation of cutaneous sarcoidosis with an exceptional clinical presentation: icthyosiform erythroderma.

A 33-year-old woman had a dry icthyosiform erythroderma associated with arthralgia and muscular deficit of the pelvic belt in a context of fever and weight loss. Skin biopsy revealed the presence of an epithelioid giant-cell granuloma. This granuloma was also found in the salivary glands and in the bronchial mucosa. The chest X ray showed diffuse reticularis opacities. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was retained. The patient was treated with oral prednisone (0.75 mg/kg/day). Total skin clearing was obtained after 15 days.

This observation points out the heterogeneous nature of clinical manifestations of cutaneous sarcoidosis. The icthyosis erythroderma form is exceptional. Correct diagnosis is difficult and must be based on clinical, histological, radiological and biological criteria of sarcoidosis.