Granuloma Annulare Follow-up

  • Author: Ruby Ghadially, MBChB, FRCP(C)Derm; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Complications

  • Gass et al report a 70-year-old man with disseminated granuloma annulare (GA) in a photosensitive distribution, who, after successful systemic and topical treatment, developed milia and scarring. This is purported to be the first report of scarring and milia formation after successful treatment of granuloma annulare.[27]
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Prognosis

  • Spontaneous resolution of localized granuloma annulare has occurred within 2 years in 50% of cases, although lesions may last weeks to decades. Recurrence, often at the same site, is noted in 40% of cases.
  • Generalized granuloma annulare has a more chronic course, with rare spontaneous resolution, poor response to treatment, and frequent relapses.
  • Subcutaneous granuloma annulare lesions often spontaneously regress. Local or distant recurrences have been reported in 20-75% of cases in different studies.
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Patient Education

  • Patients and families should be reassured about the typically benign nature and course of granuloma annulare.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Ruby Ghadially, MBChB, FRCP(C)Derm  Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Ruby Ghadially, MBChB, FRCP(C)Derm is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Ontario Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Akos Z Szabo, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Heidelberg Medical Center, Germany

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Amit Garg, MD  Director of Clinical Elective in Dermatology, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Amit Garg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Student Association/Foundation

Disclosure: Abbott Immunology Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Centocor Grant/research funds Other; RegenRx Grant/research funds Other

Specialty Editor Board

James J Nordlund, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

James J Nordlund, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative 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.

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD  Herman Beerman Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Penn Cutaneous Pathology Services, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Lippincott Williams Wilkins Royalty Textbook editor; DLA Piper Consulting fee Consulting

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, 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 eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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  19. Passeron T, Fusade T, Vabres P, Bousquet-Rouaud R, Collet-Vilette AM, Dahan S, et al. Treatment of granuloma annulare with the 595-nm pulsed dye laser, a multicentre retrospective study with long-term follow-up. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Dec 21 2011;[Medline].

  20. Piaserico S, Zattra E, Linder D, Peserico A. Generalized granuloma annulare treated with methylaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy. Dermatology. 2009;218(3):282-4. [Medline].

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  22. Marcus DV, Mahmoud BH, Hamzavi IH. Granuloma annulare treated with rifampin, ofloxacin, and minocycline combination therapy. Arch Dermatol. Jul 2009;145(7):787-9. [Medline].

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  26. [Guideline] Frykberg RG, Zgonis T, Armstrong DG, et al. Diabetic foot disorders. A clinical practice guideline (2006 revision). J Foot Ankle Surg. Sep-Oct 2006;45(5 Suppl):S1-66. [Medline].

  27. Gass JK, Todd PM, Rytina E. Generalized granuloma annulare in a photosensitive distribution resolving with scarring and milia formation. Clin Exp Dermatol. Jul 2009;34(5):e53-5. [Medline].

 
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