Erythema Annulare Centrifugum 

  • Author: Robert J Willard, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 12, 2010
 

Background

Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is classified as one of the figurate or gyrate erythemas. First described by Darier in 1916, it is characterized by a scaling or nonscaling, nonpruritic, annular or arcuate, erythematous eruption. It tends to spread peripherally while clearing centrally. Histologically, an intense lymphohistiocytic cuffing occurs about the superficial and deep dermal vessels without epidermal involvement. The etiology is uncertain, but it may be due to a hypersensitivity to malignancy, infection, drugs, or chemicals, or it may be idiopathic.

Controversy exists in the classification of the gyrate erythemas, and the literature is wrought with ambiguity and contradictions. Since its initial description in 1916, the term erythema annulare centrifugum has grown to include several histologic and clinical variants. Ackerman, and later Bressler and Jones,[1] suggested a classification in which only 2 types of gyrate erythema are considered: superficial (pruritic, scaling) and deep (nonpruritic, nonscaling). The original description of EAC was of the latter type. However, the superficial type is more commonly seen with its characteristic trailing scale behind an advancing, erythematous border.

In this article, EAC is considered to include all the gyrate erythemas, except for erythema marginatum rheumaticum, erythema chronicum migrans, and erythema gyratum repens. When taken in this broad sense, EAC can be scaly or nonscaly, pruritic or nonpruritic, and rarely vesicular.

Other eMedicine erythema articles include the following:

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Pathophysiology

The pathogenesis of erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is unknown, but it is probably due to a hypersensitivity reaction to a variety of agents, including drugs, arthropod bites, infections (bacterial, mycobacterial, viral, fungal, filarial), ingestion (blue cheese Penicillium), and malignancy. Injections of Trichophyton, Candida, tuberculin, and tumor extracts have been reported to induce EAC, supporting a type IV hypersensitivity reaction as at least one mechanism for its development. Another purported mechanism in the pathogenesis of EAC is that of a Th1-mediated reaction with elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and associated proinflammatory cytokines. Minni and Sarro[2] reported response to (and relapse following cessation of) etanercept in a 57-year-old white man as evidence supporting this theory.

Other cases of erythema annulare centrifugum have been found in association with an underlying systemic or infectious disease (eg, liver disease,[3] Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Graves disease,[4] hypereosinophilic syndrome,[5] appendicitis[6] ), herpes zoster, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and HIV. Drugs reported to cause EAC include finasteride, piroxicam, hydroxychloroquine, amitriptyline, and spironolactone. Still other cases have been attributable to a familial form. However, in most cases, no underlying cause can be found. One study of 24 cases of EAC with special reference to its association with an underlying disease found no increased incidence of systemic disease, malignancy, or infection.[7] In another study of 113 cases of gyrate erythemas, 7 cases (none of which was erythema gyratum repens) were associated with internal malignancy compared with 6 cases in the control group.

Hypotheses about the mechanism of annularity focus on the interaction between mediators of inflammation and ground substance as foreign antigens diffuse through the skin.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

International

Defining the incidence and the prevalence of erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is difficult because the literature mostly consists of case reports and brief reviews. In a review of 24 cases in England, the incidence was reported to be approximately 1 case per 100,000 population per year in a catchment area of 500,000 people.

Mortality/Morbidity

The mean duration of erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is 11 months. However, the course has ranged from 4-6 weeks to 34 years (recurrent attacks). Most cases require no treatment and resolve spontaneously. Others have been reported in association with malignancy, with the eruptions responding to treatment of the underlying neoplasm. In those cases, the prognosis is affected by the underlying malignancy.

Race

Whether any racial predilection exists for erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is not known.

Sex

No bias for either sex is apparent for erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC).

Age

Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) has been reported in patients from infancy to the ninth decade of life.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Robert J Willard, MD  Dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon, Private Practice, Dermatology and Mohs Surgery Center, PC

Robert J Willard, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Andrew D Montemarano, DO  Consulting Staff, The Skin Cancer Surgery Center

Andrew D Montemarano, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and MedChi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Evan R Farmer, MD  Clinical Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Evan R Farmer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, and International Society of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Warren R Heymann, MD  Head, Division of Dermatology, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Warren R Heymann, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, 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, 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
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Arcuate lesions of erythema annulare centrifugum demonstrate minimal scale.
Superficial erythema annulare centrifugum demonstrates a central clearing and trailing scale behind an advancing, annular, erythematous border.
 
 
 
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