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Chronic Nodular Dermatosis: A Quiz
Marco CUSINI, Stefano RAMONI, Vinicio BONESCHI and Sebastiano RECALCATI
Unit of Dermatology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Ca’ Granda Foundation and Institute for Research and Care, Mag-
giore Polyclinic Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]
A 29-year-old Egyptian man presented with a 6-month
history of multiple papular nodular lesions on his limbs.
Prior to admission to our department he had been treated
with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids by other specia-
lists, but with no resolution. On admission, he had multiple
brownish papular nodular lesions, some with erosions and
other with crusts, on his legs (Fig. 1a), and an erythematous
ulcerated plaque on his left wrist (Fig. 1b). In addition,
some slightly erythematous firm nodules were present on
his face (Fig. 1c). The patient’s general condition was non-
compromised, he only reported mild itching. He worked
as a warehouseman at the vegetable market in Milan and
had been in Italy permanently for 2 years. Serology for
HIV and syphilis were negative. Neurological examina-
tion documented a loss of sensation in the lesions on the
lower limbs, with no palpable nerve enlargement. Biopsy
specimens from the plaque on the left wrist were submitted
for histology (Fig. 1d).
What is your diagnosis? See next page for answer.
QUIZ SECTION
Fig. 1. Clinical presentation. (a) Multiple papular
nodular crusted brownish lesions on the legs.
(b) Ulcerated plaque on the left wrist. (c) Flesh-
coloured firm non-tender nodules on the face.
(d) Histopathology: section of diseased skin
demonstrating thinned out epidermis with a
grenz zone and underlying dermis demonstrating
vacuolated and foamy interlacing histiocytes
(haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) ×20).
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license. www.medicaljournals.se/acta
Journal Compilation © 2018 Acta Dermato-Venereologica.
doi: 10.2340/00015555-2828
Acta Derm Venereol 2018; 98: 299–300