Granulosis Rubra Nasi 

  • Author: Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 27, 2012
 

Background

Granulosis rubra nasi is described as a benign, autosomal dominant familial disease of children involving the eccrine glands of the nose, cheeks, and chin. German dermatologist Josef Jadassohn first described the condition in 1901.[1] This condition appears to be extremely rare.

The term is sometimes used as a diagnostic title for hyperhidrosis of the nose.[2]

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Pathophysiology

Pathogenesis is unknown. Granulosis rubra nasi is a nonneoplastic disorder of the eccrine glands, possibly representing a unique form of sweat retention.[3] Eccrine glands produce sweat, and an alteration in the rate of sweat secretion manifests as hypohidrosis or hyperhidrosis. A marked increase in sweat production on the nose occurs in granulosis rubra nasi. Hyperhidrosis also is present on the central face, palms, and soles. This hyperhidrosis appears to be responsible for the secondary changes of erythema and erythematous papules.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Granulosis rubra nasi is rare, and the precise frequency is unknown. Significant underreporting may be a factor.

International

The frequency is expected to be similar to that seen in the United States.

Mortality/Morbidity

Granulosis rubra nasi is primarily a cosmetic disorder. Patients have few physical complaints, and most occurrences resolve completely at puberty. Residual changes (when present) consist of superficial telangiectasias.

Race

No racial predilection has been described.

Sex

No sexual predilection has been described.

Age

Granulosis rubra nasi usually starts in early childhood in patients aged 6 months to 10 years. Peak incidence is from age 7-12 years. Granulosis rubra nasi usually resolves spontaneously at puberty; however, it occasionally persists indefinitely, in which case telangiectasia becomes the predominant feature.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD  Chairman, Elixir Institute of Regenerative Medicine

Basil M Hantash, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD  Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Texas, Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Morzak Research Initiative

Rashid M Rashid, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Council for Nail Disorders, Houston Dermatological Society, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Shyam Verma  MBBS, DVD, FAAD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Virginia; Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, State University of New York at Stonybrook, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Shyam Verma is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey J Miller, MD  Associate Professor of Dermatology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine; Staff Dermatologist, Pennsylvania State Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Jeffrey J Miller, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Professors of Dermatology, North American Hair Research Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Mark Crowe, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

  1. Maschkilleisson LN, Naradow LA. Jadassohns Granulosis rubra nasi. Derm Z. 1935;71:79-84.

  2. Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP, eds. Dermatology. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2003.

  3. Wenzel FG, Horn TD. Nonneoplastic disorders of the eccrine glands. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 1998;38(1):1-17; quiz 18-20. [Medline].

  4. Heid E, Samain F, Jelen G, Boivin S. [Granulosis rubra nasi and pheochromocytoma]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1996;123(2):106-8. [Medline].

  5. Binazzi M. [Further data on a case of hereditary granulosis rubra nasi.]. Rass Dermatol Sifilogr. Jan-Feb 1958;11(1):23-6. [Medline].

  6. Hellier FF. Granulosa rubra nasi in mother and daughter. Brit Med J. 1937;2:1068.

  7. Veltman G. [Uber das familiare Vorkommen der Granulosis rubra nasi.]. Arch Klin Exp Dermatol. 1949;188:188-96.

  8. Sonthalia S, Singal A, Sharma R. Hyperhidrosis, vesicles, and papules over the nose: Granulosis rubra nasi. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. Jan 2012;78(1):97-8. [Medline].

  9. Grazziotin TC, Buffon RB, da Silva Manzoni AP, Libis AS, Weber MB. Treatment of granulosis rubra nasi with botulinum toxin type A. Dermatol Surg. Aug 2009;35(8):1298-9. [Medline].

  10. Pillsbury DM, Shelley WB, Kligman AM. Granulosis rubra nasi. In: Dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1956:835.

 
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