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Related Experiment Videos

Copper-induced cutaneous sarcoidosis.

Grant Masel1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Fremantle Hospital, Perth Western Australia, Australia. gmmf.iinet.net.au

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology
|January 27, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Copper from earrings can trigger sarcoidosis in earlobes, causing granulomatous inflammation. Treatment with hydroxychloroquine showed partial improvement in lesions.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Toxicology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Granulomatous inflammation can manifest in various forms, including reactions to foreign materials.
  • Cutaneous sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that can affect the skin.

Observation:

  • A 52-year-old woman presented with painless earlobe enlargement and indurated plaques elsewhere.
  • Histopathology revealed foreign material with granulomatous inflammation, identified as primarily copper.
  • Similar lesions remote from the earlobes lacked copper, suggesting underlying sarcoidosis.

Findings:

  • Copper deposition in earlobes, likely from earrings or piercing, acted as a nidus for cutaneous sarcoidosis.
  • The copper itself was not considered the primary pro-inflammatory agent.
  • Lesions showed partial response to hydroxychloroquine treatment over three months.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential environmental trigger for sarcoidosis in predisposed individuals.
  • Understanding foreign material interactions is crucial for diagnosing and managing granulomatous skin conditions.
  • Earrings and body piercings may warrant consideration in the differential diagnosis of granulomatous dermatitis.

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