Fullen Douglas R, Jacobson Sarah N, Valdez Riccardo, Novice Fred M, Lowe Lori
Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Hospitals, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109-0602, USA.
Am J Dermatopathol. 2003 Feb;25(1):57-61. doi: 10.1097/00000372-200302000-00012.
Granulomatous infiltrates, including granuloma annulare-like changes, in patients with T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease are well described but are exceedingly uncommon in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Herein, we describe a 73-year-old male with a 10-year history of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed erythematous annular plaques symmetrically on his upper extremities. Biopsies of these lesions revealed both granuloma annulare-like areas, in conjunction with nodular atypical lymphoid infiltrates consistent with secondary involvement by B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of cutaneous lesions resembling granuloma annulare with concomitant involvement by B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Awareness of this association may prevent nonrecognition of a neoplastic B-cell infiltrate in a granuloma annulare-like process.