Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei: An uncommon cause of Non-infectious granulomatous dermatitis

Shirazi N.¹, Jindal R.²

¹Dr. Nadia Shirazi, Professor, Department of Pathology, ²Dr. Rashmi Jindal, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology; both authors are affiliated with Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Uttarakhand, India.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Nadia Shirazi, Professor, Department of Pathology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Jolly Grant, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. India. E-mail: shirazinadia@gmail.com

Abstract

Cutaneous granulomatosis (Infectious and non-infectious) are a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by an inflammatory skin reaction triggered by a wide variety of stimuli, including infections, foreign bodies, malignancy, metabolites, and chemicals. We present here a rare case of multiple caseating granulomas on face of a young man who was clinically suspected to be sarcoidosis however diagnosed as Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei on biopsy.

Keywords: Face, Granulomas, Caseous necrosis, Acid Fast Bacilli

Manuscript received: 20th January 2019 Reviewed: 30th January 2019 

Author Corrected: 4th February 2019 Accepted for Publication: 9th February 2019

Introduction

Granulomatous dermatoses are commonly encountered in routine clinical practice. These entities show presence of epithelioid granulomain the dermis and/or hypodermis which are mainly composed of macrophages grouped into nodules having a nodular, palisaded or interstitial architecture [1]. Caseous necrosis within the granuloma points to Mycobacterial infection however Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei (LMDF) is a rare chronic necrotising granulomatous dermatosis which has a multifactorial aetiology unrelated to Tuberculosis. Application of special stains to demonstrate Mycobacteria (Modified Ziehl-Nelson) or Fungus (Silver Methenamine or Periodic Acid Sciff) is often needed to assign a correct diagnosis. The present case reports LMDF in a middle aged North Indian male who presented with skin coloured papules on face which healed with scarring. This case merits interest because of rarity of disease, adequacy of work up and pivotal role of histopathology in making a diagnosis.

Case

A 32-year old North Indian male presented with multiple yellowish brown partly erythematous papular lesions on central and lateral face and lower eyelids for 8 months. The lesions were painless and non-pruritic and new ones continued to appear despite taking topical treatment from a local practitioner. Few healed lesions were also seen which left behind pitted, atrophic scars (Figure 1).There was no systemic abnormality and there was no history of contact with Tuberculosis. A clinical differential of Tuberculosis, sarcoidosis or papular variant of Granuloma Annulare was made.Tuberculin test was negative. Hemogram and ESR were within normal limits. Skin biopsy showed a well-circumscribed epithelioid granuloma with Langhans type giant cells, abundant central caseous necrosis and mild to moderate lymphocytic cuffing (Photomicrograph 1). Modified Ziehl-Nelsonstain was negative for Acid Fast Bacilli (Photomicrograph 2).A diagnosis of Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei was made. The patient was treated with prednisone 5 mg daily for 3weeks.He refused any scar revision procedure like laser resurfacing and dermabrasion.Patient is still under follow up after 2months and his lesions are regressing.                                                                                                                                                                          

Figure-1: Multiple skin coloured to erythematous papules on face with few pitted scars

                                                Photomicrograph 1                           Photomicrograph 2

Photomicrograph-1: Skin biopsy showing palisaded epithelioid granuloma with central caseous necrosis (4x10X:H&E)

Photomicrograph-2: Negative AFB staining in the palisaded epithelioid granuloma and central caseous necrosis (4x10X:Ziehl-Nelson)

Discussion

Granuloma refers to any chronic inflammation when the immune system tries to enclose and limit the spread of insoluble substances to other body compartments.The granulomatous diseases depending on the nature of this usually insoluble substance, can be divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious [2] .The mechanisms of infectious granuloma formation can be demonstrated easilybecause of its reproducibility in experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro. On the contrary, mechanisms of non-infectious granuloma formation have not been well investigated because of the difficulty to reproduce this formation in experimental models [3].

Macrophages, which are the main cell constituent in a granuloma can be activated in two ways: classically activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages. M1 macrophages, stimulated by Toll-like receptor ligands and IFN-c, are characterized by the expression of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, high production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates, promotion of a Th1 response, and strong microbicidal activity [4]. The granuloma formation of LMDF is Cell mediated Immune response to pilosebaceous units or foreign body reaction to sebum, keratin or Demodexfollicularis from ruptured follicles. Non-infectious granulomas like Necrobiosislipoidica and Granuloma Annulare are more frequently seen in diabetic patients [5]. Histopathologically cutaneous granulomas have been separated into 4 groups by Shitara et al: epithelioid cell granuloma with central necrosis, epithelioid cell granuloma without central necrosis (sarcoid/foreign body reaction), epithelioid cell granuloma with abscesses, and non-granulomatous nonspecific inflammatory infiltrate [6].

Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei (LMDF) is a rare chronic inflammatory facial dermatoses which was previously thought to be tuber culid but now regarded as an extreme variant of granulomatous rosacea. It was first described by Fox et al in 1868 [7]. It is also known as Acne agminataor F.I.G.U.R.E (Facial Idiopathic Granuloma with Regressive Evolution) [8]. It presents typically as symmetrically pale to skin coloured eruptions in the central face, beneath lower eyelids, forehead, nasolabial folds, the cheeks, and the perioral areas however widespread dissemination may also be seen. Clinical differential diagnosis includes rosacea, sarcoidosis, acne vulgaris, necrobiosis lipoidica and Granuloma Annulare [9]. LMDF differs from granulomatous rosacea in being self-limiting in nature, healing with scarring, equal sex distribution, caseous necrosis in histology as well as absence of erythema, flushing and telangiectasia [10]. Therapy is difficult with variable efficacy and several therapeutic modalities, e.g., dapsone, doxycycline, minocycline, isotretinoin, clofazimine, isoniazid, and corticosteroids have been used to induce remission [11].

Conclusion

LMDF is a chronic granulomatous dermatosis which clinically overlaps with granulomatous rosacea, sarcoidosis, TB and acne. The clinicians should be aware of this entity to initiate proper and timely treatment and prevent development of scars.

Conflict of Interest: None

Financial support: Nil

Ethics: Informed consent was obtained from the patient in order to publish this case report

References

How to cite this article? 

Shirazi N, Jindal R. Lupus Miliaris Disseminatus Facei: An uncommon cause of Non-infectious granulomatous dermatitis. Trop J Path Micro 2019;5(2):112-114.doi:10.17511/ jopm. 2019.i2.11.