Cutaneous lesions of lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Comparison with lymphomatoid papulosis

Histopathologic changes in skin lesions from 14 patients with lymphomatoid granulomatosis (some of which were from the original series of Liebow, Carrington, and Friedman) are described. These are compared to the microscopic changes in skin lesions from 17 patients with lymphomatoid papulosis. Significant differences between the two diseases are present, notably the lack of epidermal and papillary dermal involvement and almost exclusive vasocentricity of the lesions of lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Lymphomatoid papulosis exhibits extensive involvement of the epidermis and papillary dermis. A diffuse cellular infiltrate is present in the reticular dermis as well as around blood vessels in lymphomatoid papulosis. The relationship of the two diseases to B- and T-lymphocytes is discussed.