Granuloma annulare

Granuloma annulare
The definition of granuloma annulare in one of the standard print medical dictionaries begins: "a benign, usually self-limited granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, chiefly involving the dermis." Translation: This condition usually clears up by itself (it is "usually self-limited); it is not malignant (it is "benign"); we don't have a clue as to what causes it (it is "of unknown etiology"); it affects the layer (the "dermis") of the skin just below the outside layer (the epidermis). A granuloma is a localized nodular inflammation which has a typical pattern when the involved tissue examined under a microscope. Annulare comes from the Latin word "anus" meaning ring. Granuloma annulare is thus a ring-like granuloma in the skin. Granuloma annulare tends to occur in children, predominantly girls. We recently heard from a viewer who wrote: "I was told my daughter has granuloma alanarra. She has a raised spiral inflammation on her ankle with a clear center. It has increased in size by 3 inches (7-8 cm) in the past year. My doctor told us that it would clear on its own. Is this true? Is there another name I should look under?" There is only one name for this condition to the best of our knowledge — granuloma annulare — and that is the name to look under. Granuloma annulare looks very much as this viewer has described it in his/her daughter. .

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granuloma an·nu·la·re -.an-yu̇-'lar-ē, -'ler- n a benign chronic rash of unknown cause characterized by one or more flat spreading ringlike spots with lighter centers esp. on the feet, legs, hands, or fingers

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a chronic skin condition of unknown cause. In the common localized type there is a ring or rings of closely set papules, 1-5 cm in diameter, found principally on the hands and arms. If generalized, it may be associated with diabetes mellitus.

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a group of benign, usually self-limited granulomatous diseases of unknown etiology with both localized and disseminated varieties, most often seen in children and young adults. The lesions chiefly involve the dermis and are perforating papules or subcutaneous nodules grouped in rings. Histopathologic findings include palisading macrophages surrounding foci of necrobiosis of the dermis.

Granuloma annulare of the dorsum of the hand.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Granuloma annulare — Infobox Disease Name = PAGENAME Caption = Granuloma annulare on hand DiseasesDB = 5414 ICD10 = ICD10|L|92|0|l|80 ICD9 = ICD9|695.89 ICDO = OMIM = MedlinePlus = eMedicineSubj = derm eMedicineTopic = 169 MeshID = D016460Granuloma annulare is a… …   Wikipedia

  • granuloma annulare — a chronic skin condition of unknown cause. In the common localized type there is a ring or rings of closely set papules, 1–5 cm in diameter, found principally on the hands and arms. If generalized, it may be associated with diabetes mellitus …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Subcutaneous granuloma annulare — Classification and external resources ICD 10 L92.1 (ILDS L92.040) Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (also known as Deep granuloma annulare, and Pseudorheumatoid nodule ) is a skin condition of unknown cause, most commonly affecting children, with… …   Wikipedia

  • annulare — see GRANULOMA ANNULARE …   Medical dictionary

  • Granuloma — Granulomatous and Granulomatous reaction redirect here. For the Interstitial granulomatous drug reaction, see Interstitial granulomatous drug reaction. Not to be confused with Granulation tissue. Granuloma Classification and external resources… …   Wikipedia

  • granuloma multiforme — a rare type of granuloma seen most often in women in Central Africa and other tropical areas, thought to be an atypical form of granuloma annulare, characterized by multiple round, papulonodular lesions with plaques and nodules …   Medical dictionary

  • Granuloma — A granuloma is one of a number of forms of localized nodular inflammation found in tissues. The fact that a granuloma is localized is important. So is its nodularity. Granulomas have a typical pattern when examined under a microscope. Granulomas… …   Medical dictionary

  • Erythema annulare centrifugum — Classification and external resources ICD 10 L53.1 ICD 9 695.0 …   Wikipedia

  • annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma — a variant of granuloma annulare seen on skin chronically exposed to the sun. The border is raised and contains many histiocytes and giant cells; many of the normal elastic fibers are gathered near the giant cells or phagocytized by them. Called… …   Medical dictionary

  • List of cutaneous conditions — This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries. See also: Cutaneous conditions, Category:Cutaneous conditions, and ICD 10… …   Wikipedia

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