Sarcoidal Granuloma Annulare-Like Dermatitis and Vasculitis With Granulomatous Features: An Atypical Case of Giant Cell Arteritis

Am J Dermatopathol. 2023 Sep 1;45(9):654-657. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000002531.

Abstract

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a diagnosis that clinicians should not miss because of the accompanying risk of irreversible vision loss. GCA can present without the classic symptoms of headache and temporal artery tenderness, which may lead to a delay in diagnosis. Cutaneous findings, although rare, have been associated with GCA. Accordingly, it is imperative to be aware of the broad clinical and histological presentations of GCA, including the cutaneous findings, because they may prove to be harbingers of impending disease. We present a unique case of GCA where 2 distinct cutaneous morphologies, sarcoidal granuloma annulare-like dermatitis and leukocytoclastic vasculitis with granulomatous features, presented simultaneously before the classic symptoms of headache and unilateral vision loss.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Dermatitis*
  • Giant Cell Arteritis* / complications
  • Giant Cell Arteritis* / diagnosis
  • Granuloma Annulare* / diagnosis
  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous* / diagnosis
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous* / drug therapy
  • Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous* / etiology