Erythematous brownish plaques with an annular configuration

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pathology

Background:

• Granuloma annulare (GA) and cutaneous sarcoidosis exhibit significant clinicopathological and etiological overlap.
• Sarcoidal GA, a rare variant, presents diagnostic challenges due to its resemblance to sarcoidosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic importance of recognizing sarcoidal GA.
• To emphasize the need for thorough investigation to exclude systemic sarcoidosis in cases of sarcoidal GA.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinicopathological features of sarcoidal GA and cutaneous sarcoidosis.
• Analysis of literature regarding the association between sarcoidal GA and systemic sarcoidosis.

Main Results:

• Sarcoidal GA and sarcoidosis share overlapping histopathological features.
• Reports indicate a potential association between sarcoidal GA and systemic sarcoidosis.

Conclusions:

• The diagnosis of sarcoidal GA warrants further investigation to rule out systemic sarcoidosis.
• Awareness of subtle histopathological clues, clinical correlation, and ancillary tests are crucial for accurate diagnosis and exclusion of sarcoidosis.