Lymphocytoma Cutis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Christine J Ko, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 26, 2010
 

History

  • Patients with lymphocytoma cutis present with a nodule or group of discrete nodules, usually with minimal associated symptoms.
  • Occasionally, pruritus or pain is noted.
Next

Physical

  • Examination of a patient with lymphocytoma cutis usually reveals a single nodule with a diameter of one to several centimeters.
  • Although the lesions may be soft, they are more often firm.
  • Typically, lymphocytoma cutis lesions are red to purple but can be absent of color as well.
  • Approximately three quarters of the cases involve localized lesions.
    • The remaining cases usually involve grouped papules in a single defined region.
    • More disseminated cases are rare.
  • The most common site of involvement in lymphocytoma cutis is the face (70%).
  • Next most common sites are the chest and upper extremities.
  • Lesions below the waist are uncommon.
  • Sites of predilection for borrelial lymphocytoma are sites with low skin temperature, including the following:
    • Earlobes
    • Nipples and areolae
    • Nose
    • Scrotum
Previous
Next

Causes

Most cases of lymphocytoma cutis are idiopathic. Known inciting agents for lymphocytoma cutis include the following:

  • Tattoo dye[2]
  • Jewelry (eg, gold earrings)
  • Arthropod (insect and spider) bites
  • Medications[3] - Methylphenidate hydrochloride[4]
  • Folliculitis
  • Trauma
  • Vaccinations - Varicella-zoster virus vaccination[5]
  • Materials that come into direct contact with the skin or are injected into the skin (eg, gold, aluminum)
  • Infection (eg, varicella-zoster virus, Borrelia species, molluscum contagiosum, Helicobacter pylori)
  • Sites where acupuncture needles were inserted
Previous
Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christine J Ko, MD  Assistant Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine

Christine J Ko, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and International Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jon H Meyerle, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Laboratory Director, Department of Dermatology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and National Naval Medical Center

Jon H Meyerle, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Earl J Glusac, MD  Professor, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine

Earl J Glusac, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Günter Burg, MD  Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Zürich School of Medicine; Delegate of The Foundation for Modern Teaching and Learning in Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland

Günter Burg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, North American Clinical Dermatologic Society, and Pacific Dermatologic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University 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.

Daniel S Loo, MD  Associate Professor of Dermatology, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, Tufts Medical Center

Daniel S Loo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Association of Professors of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Colli C, Leinweber B, Mullegger R, Chott A, Kerl H, Cerroni L. Borrelia burgdorferi-associated lymphocytoma cutis: clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular study of 106 cases. J Cutan Pathol. Mar 2004;31(3):232-40. [Medline].

  2. Kazandjieva J, Tsankov N. Tattoos: dermatological complications. Clin Dermatol. Jul-Aug 2007;25(4):375-82. [Medline].

  3. Albrecht J, Fine LA, Piette W. Drug-associated lymphoma and pseudolymphoma: recognition and management. Dermatol Clin. Apr 2007;25(2):233-44, vii. [Medline].

  4. Welsh JP, Ko C, Hsu WT. Lymphomatoid drug reaction secondary to methylphenidate hydrochloride. Cutis. Jan 2008;81(1):61-4. [Medline].

  5. Porto DA, Comfere NI, Myers LM, Abbott JJ. Pseudolymphomatous reaction to varicella zoster virus vaccination: role of viral in situ hybridization. J Cutan Pathol. Nov 4 2009;[Medline].

  6. Kempf W, Dummer R, Burg G. Approach to lymphoproliferative infiltrates of the skin. The difficult lesions. Am J Clin Pathol. Jan 1999;111(1 Suppl 1):S84-93. [Medline].

  7. Wantzin GL, Hou-Jensen K, Nielsen M, Petri J, Thomsen K. Cutaneous lymphocytomas: clinical and histological aspects. Acta Derm Venereol. 1982;62(2):119-24. [Medline].

  8. van Vloten WA, Willemze R. The many faces of lymphocytoma cutis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Jan 2003;17(1):3-6. [Medline].

  9. Duncan SC, Evans HL, Winkelmann RK. Large cell lymphocytoma. Arch Dermatol. Oct 1980;116(10):1142-6. [Medline].

  10. Geerts ML, Kaiserling E. A morphologic study of lymphadenosis benigna cutis. Dermatologica. 1985;170(3):121-7. [Medline].

  11. Ploysangam T, Breneman DL, Mutasim DF. Cutaneous pseudolymphomas. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jun 1998;38(6 Pt 1):877-95; quiz 896-7. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
This example of lymphocytoma cutis shows a localized, erythematous-to-brown, ill-defined plaque.
Lymphocytoma cutis of the shoulder, composed of flesh-colored or erythematous nodules in small groups.
This photograph of lymphocytoma cutis caused by an arthropod bite shows an erythematous scaling patch of the scalp with localized secondary alopecia.
A mixed inflammatory infiltrate with germinal centers is indicative of lymphocytoma cutis.
Well-developed lymphoid follicles in a background of mixed inflammatory cells with small lymphocytes are typical of lymphocytoma cutis.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.