**1. Introduction**

Granulomatous diseases are not uncommon in daily clinical practice. Different etiologies (infection, autoimmunity, inflammation, foreign bodies, malignancy, metabolites, chemicals, etc.) can cause granulomatous lesions.

The differential diagnostic process for a granulomatous disease should always be made in light of interdisciplinary cooperation as it requires close collaboration between specialists including radiologists, internists, and pathologists.

Diagnostic procedures should be oriented to the clinical symptoms and should include blood analyses (liver and renal function control check, etc.), suggestive microbiological studies, and radiography (especially computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography); the diagnosis of a granulomatous disease should always be confirmed by histopathology when possible, sampling for histology or cytology.

From a pathologic point of view, the lesions are divided into noninfectious and infectious granulomas. In the case of proven granulomatous inflammation, an infectious etiology (including mycobacteria, parasites, and fungi) should first be excluded.

From a clinical point of view, it is useful to separate granulomatosis into localized and disseminated forms, although this distinction can be sometimes artificial. Three types of localized granulomatous lesions can be distinguished: infectious granulomas, which are generally associated with localized infections, palisaded granulomas (granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, and rheumatoid nodules), and foreign body granulomas. Disseminated granulomas can be divided into infectious (in particular tuberculosis) and noninfectious forms (autoimmune, neoplasia, etc.). These entities are discussed herein.

Granulomatous disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases, the pathophysiological mechanism of which is still poorly understood. These are granulomatous inflammatory reactions to a wide variety of stimuli, including infections, systemic inflammations, neoplasia, metabolic disorders, and chemicals.

A granuloma is a specific form of inflammation involving mostly dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophages, which are the dominant cell type. Both innate and adaptive immunity are involved in this inflammatory process. From a clinical point of view, it is useful to separate granulomatosis into localized and disseminated forms, although this distinction may sometimes be artificial, because they often coexist. These are most frequently seen as pulmonary, hepatobiliary-splenic, gastrointestinal, renal, cerebral, and bone granulomas. From a pathogenic point of view, they are divided into noninfectious and infectious granulomas. Treatment is specific for each type.

### **2. Cutaneous localizad granulomatosis**

The typical macroscopic skin lesion of cutaneous granulomatosis is characterized by an infiltrated painless rounded papule, which is well limited and reddish-pink and takes a yellowish color on diascopy, called apple jelly. Its surface is smooth or slightly squamous as there is generally no epidermal involvement [1].Three types of localized skin granulomatous lesions can be distinguished, namely, palisaded granulomas (like granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, or rheumatoid nodules), infectious granulomas (which are generally associated with localized infections), and foreign body granulomas [1, 2].

#### **2.1 Palisadic granulomas**

This term corresponds to a histological description of a nodular inflammatory granulomatous lesion characterized by a central zone of altered connective tissue, surrounded by histiocytes dispersed in a palisaded form. The anomalies observed at the center of the granulomas generally make it possible to distinguish the different forms: mucin deposits in granuloma annulare, necrosis in necrobiosis lipoidica, and massive necrosis with fibrin deposits in rheumatoid nodules.

#### *2.1.1 Granuloma annulare*

This is the most commonly occurring form of cutaneous granulomas; two thirds of patients are under 30 years of age, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. Skin

**157**

*Granulomatous Diseases Mimicking Sarcoidosis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92233*

when the lesions are very generalized.

*2.1.2 Necrobiosis lipoidica*

control.

lesions.

*2.1.3 Rheumatoid nodules*

involvement predominates in the extremities and rarely involves the face. The localized form is the more common (75% of the cases) than disseminated disease. Disseminated granuloma annulare has also been described, sometimes isolated and sometimes reported to be in association with several conditions (i.e., paraneoplastic forms associated with solid organ tumors or lymphoma). In these patients, the skin picture is often atypical [1]. The dermatological expression is in the form of erythematous plaques, grouped in rings with centrifugal progression. These plaques are themselves made up of small, firm, and well-defined papules. These lesions are asymptomatic and generally located on the back of the hands and feet, wrists, ankles, and dorsolateral faces of the fingers. In the disseminated form, it is arranged symmetrically, mainly on the trunk and the extremities. The diagnosis is clinical, the cutaneous biopsy being useful in doubtful cases. Sometimes the biopsy itself leads to a regression of the lesion. The evolution of these skin lesions is unpredictable but generally benign. Typically, the skin lesions disappear spontaneously within a few months to 2–3 years. Treatment is usually indicated

Necrobiosis lipoidica is an idiopathic chronic granulomatosis, which usually occurs in young or middle-aged adults, with a male to female ratio of 1:3. It is associated with diabetes mellitus, although its development is not related to poor glycemic

Necrobiosis refers to a histological inflammation triggered by cell death, and lipoidica refers to the clinically yellowish appearance of the lesions due to lipid deposits secondary to collagen degeneration. The lesions present as bilateral painless papules or nodules, which widen progressively and converge into welldefined oval plaques with a raised erythematous border surrounding the central area, which is initially reddish and later becomes yellowish, smooth, and atrophic with telangiectasias and scarring. Over time, the plaque becomes indurated and adherent to the underlying osteoperiosteal planes, with a remaining active border. Isolated cases of squamous cell carcinomas have been reported in patients with large

Rheumatoid nodules are the most frequent extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At least 20% of adult patients with RA have rheumatoid nodules. Patients with rheumatoid nodules are more often rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive. Their presence in newly diagnosed patients can be considered as a clinical predictor of severe seropositive and erosive arthritis associated with extra-articular involvement, including rheumatoid vasculitis. They consist of deep dermo-hypodermic nodules of variable size (2 mm to 5 cm) adherent to the periosteum. Generally painless, these nodules can cause discomfort or pain when they ulcerate. The nodules tend to develop in outbreaks during the active phases of the disease and form subcutaneously, in the bursas and along the tendinous sheaths. Although they have been described in almost all regions and can occur in the viscera (lung, liver), these nodules are typically located at pressure points, such as on the extensor surface of the arm, the Achilles tendon, the ischial area, and on the flexor surfaces of the fingers. These lesions may develop gradually or abruptly and are usually associated with some symptoms of inflammation. A biopsy

*Granulomatous Diseases Mimicking Sarcoidosis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92233*

*Sarcoidosis and Granulomatosis - Diagnosis and Management*

neoplasia, etc.). These entities are discussed herein.

**2. Cutaneous localizad granulomatosis**

infections), and foreign body granulomas [1, 2].

massive necrosis with fibrin deposits in rheumatoid nodules.

**2.1 Palisadic granulomas**

*2.1.1 Granuloma annulare*

inflammations, neoplasia, metabolic disorders, and chemicals.

excluded.

each type.

From a pathologic point of view, the lesions are divided into noninfectious and infectious granulomas. In the case of proven granulomatous inflammation, an infectious etiology (including mycobacteria, parasites, and fungi) should first be

Granulomatous disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases, the pathophysiological mechanism of which is still poorly understood. These are granulomatous inflammatory reactions to a wide variety of stimuli, including infections, systemic

A granuloma is a specific form of inflammation involving mostly dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophages, which are the dominant cell type. Both innate and adaptive immunity are involved in this inflammatory process. From a clinical point of view, it is useful to separate granulomatosis into localized and disseminated forms, although this distinction may sometimes be artificial, because they often coexist. These are most frequently seen as pulmonary, hepatobiliary-splenic, gastrointestinal, renal, cerebral, and bone granulomas. From a pathogenic point of view, they are divided into noninfectious and infectious granulomas. Treatment is specific for

The typical macroscopic skin lesion of cutaneous granulomatosis is characterized by an infiltrated painless rounded papule, which is well limited and reddish-pink and takes a yellowish color on diascopy, called apple jelly. Its surface is smooth or slightly squamous as there is generally no epidermal involvement [1].Three types of localized skin granulomatous lesions can be distinguished, namely, palisaded granulomas (like granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, or rheumatoid nodules), infectious granulomas (which are generally associated with localized

This term corresponds to a histological description of a nodular inflammatory granulomatous lesion characterized by a central zone of altered connective tissue, surrounded by histiocytes dispersed in a palisaded form. The anomalies observed at the center of the granulomas generally make it possible to distinguish the different forms: mucin deposits in granuloma annulare, necrosis in necrobiosis lipoidica, and

This is the most commonly occurring form of cutaneous granulomas; two thirds of patients are under 30 years of age, with a male to female ratio of 2:1. Skin

From a clinical point of view, it is useful to separate granulomatosis into localized and disseminated forms, although this distinction can be sometimes artificial. Three types of localized granulomatous lesions can be distinguished: infectious granulomas, which are generally associated with localized infections, palisaded granulomas (granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, and rheumatoid nodules), and foreign body granulomas. Disseminated granulomas can be divided into infectious (in particular tuberculosis) and noninfectious forms (autoimmune,

**156**

involvement predominates in the extremities and rarely involves the face. The localized form is the more common (75% of the cases) than disseminated disease. Disseminated granuloma annulare has also been described, sometimes isolated and sometimes reported to be in association with several conditions (i.e., paraneoplastic forms associated with solid organ tumors or lymphoma). In these patients, the skin picture is often atypical [1]. The dermatological expression is in the form of erythematous plaques, grouped in rings with centrifugal progression. These plaques are themselves made up of small, firm, and well-defined papules. These lesions are asymptomatic and generally located on the back of the hands and feet, wrists, ankles, and dorsolateral faces of the fingers. In the disseminated form, it is arranged symmetrically, mainly on the trunk and the extremities. The diagnosis is clinical, the cutaneous biopsy being useful in doubtful cases. Sometimes the biopsy itself leads to a regression of the lesion. The evolution of these skin lesions is unpredictable but generally benign. Typically, the skin lesions disappear spontaneously within a few months to 2–3 years. Treatment is usually indicated when the lesions are very generalized.

#### *2.1.2 Necrobiosis lipoidica*

Necrobiosis lipoidica is an idiopathic chronic granulomatosis, which usually occurs in young or middle-aged adults, with a male to female ratio of 1:3. It is associated with diabetes mellitus, although its development is not related to poor glycemic control.

Necrobiosis refers to a histological inflammation triggered by cell death, and lipoidica refers to the clinically yellowish appearance of the lesions due to lipid deposits secondary to collagen degeneration. The lesions present as bilateral painless papules or nodules, which widen progressively and converge into welldefined oval plaques with a raised erythematous border surrounding the central area, which is initially reddish and later becomes yellowish, smooth, and atrophic with telangiectasias and scarring. Over time, the plaque becomes indurated and adherent to the underlying osteoperiosteal planes, with a remaining active border. Isolated cases of squamous cell carcinomas have been reported in patients with large lesions.

#### *2.1.3 Rheumatoid nodules*

Rheumatoid nodules are the most frequent extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). At least 20% of adult patients with RA have rheumatoid nodules. Patients with rheumatoid nodules are more often rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide positive. Their presence in newly diagnosed patients can be considered as a clinical predictor of severe seropositive and erosive arthritis associated with extra-articular involvement, including rheumatoid vasculitis. They consist of deep dermo-hypodermic nodules of variable size (2 mm to 5 cm) adherent to the periosteum. Generally painless, these nodules can cause discomfort or pain when they ulcerate. The nodules tend to develop in outbreaks during the active phases of the disease and form subcutaneously, in the bursas and along the tendinous sheaths. Although they have been described in almost all regions and can occur in the viscera (lung, liver), these nodules are typically located at pressure points, such as on the extensor surface of the arm, the Achilles tendon, the ischial area, and on the flexor surfaces of the fingers. These lesions may develop gradually or abruptly and are usually associated with some symptoms of inflammation. A biopsy

of the nodule may be necessary if the diagnosis is uncertain. Over time, rheumatoid nodules often disappear or regress, evolving sometimes, independent of treatment. Rheumatoid nodules appearing without clinical or biological rheumatic symptoms are most often deep granuloma annulare or pseudorheumatoid nodules, particularly in children and in the cephalic region [1, 2].

## *2.1.4 Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (acne agminata; necrotizing granulomatous rosacea)*

Lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei is now believed to be a peculiar variant of rosacea. It presents with multiple reddish papules and nodules of the scalp and face, principally in young adults, and is centered on hair follicles, without pus formation. It usually persists for 2–3 years and then regresses, leaving residual scars [2].
