eMedicine Specialties > Pediatrics: General Medicine > Dermatology

Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome: Differential Diagnoses & Workup

Author: Howard Pride, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 29, 2008

Differential Diagnoses

Atopic Dermatitis
Keratosis Pilaris

Other Problems to Be Considered

Insect bites
Erythema multiforme
Lichen planus
Medication reaction
Other viral exanthems
Urticaria pigmentosa
Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • In general, no laboratory studies are needed in patients with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS).
  • Jaundice or hepatomegaly should prompt a search for the hepatitis B virus and elevated levels of liver enzymes. However, elevated levels of liver enzymes are most likely related to Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Procedures

  • A skin biopsy may be performed to rule out other diseases in the differential diagnosis.

Histologic Findings

  • Skin biopsy findings are nonspecific and are more helpful in ruling out other diseases.
  • The epidermis shows focal spongiosis, parakeratosis, and mild acanthosis.
  • The upper dermis has a moderately intense perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes.

More on Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome

Overview: Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome
Treatment & Medication: Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome
Follow-up: Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome
Multimedia: Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome
References

References

  1. Baleviciene G, Maciuleviciene R, Schwartz RA. Papular acrodermatitis of childhood: the Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. Cutis. Apr 2001;67(4):291-4. [Medline].

  2. Caputo R, Gelmetti C, Ermacora E, et al. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 308 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 1992;26(2 Pt 1):207-10. [Medline].

  3. Yoshida M, Tsuda N, Morihata T, et al. Five patients with localized facial eruptions associated with Gianotti-Crosti syndrome caused by primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. J Pediatr. Dec 2004;145(6):843-4. [Medline].

  4. Mendoza N, Diamantis M, Arora A, et al. Mucocutaneous manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus infection. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2008;9(5):295-305. [Medline].

  5. Draelos ZK, Hansen RC, James WD. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome associated with infections other than hepatitis B. JAMA. Nov 7 1986;256(17):2386-8. [Medline].

  6. Brandt O, Abeck D, Gianotti R, Burgdorf W. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54:136-145. [Medline].

  7. Chuh A, Lee A, Zawar V. The diagnostic criteria of Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: are they applicable to children in India?. Pediatr Dermatol. Sep-Oct 2004;21(5):542-7. [Medline].

  8. Chuh AA. Diagnostic criteria for Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: a prospective case-control study for validity assessment. Cutis. Sep 2001;68(3):207-13. [Medline].

  9. Magyarlaki M, Drobnitsch I, Schneider I. Papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti disease). Pediatr Dermatol. Sep 1991;8(3):224-7. [Medline].

  10. Taieb A, Plantin P, Du Pasquier P, et al. Gianotti-Crosti syndrome: a study of 26 cases. Br J Dermatol. Jul 1986;115(1):49-59. [Medline].

Further Reading

Keywords

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, GCS, papular acrodermatitis of childhood, papulovesicular acrolocated syndrome, hepatitis B infection, hepatitis B, lymphadenopathy, rash Epstein-Barr virus, papular acrodermatitis, hepatosplenomegaly, inguinal adenopathy, rotavirus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, Parvovirus, paravaccinia, human herpesvirus 6, echovirus, molluscum contagiosum, human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Bartonella henselae, Borrelia burgdorferi, meningococcemia, polio, diphtheria, influenza, pertussis, measles, smallpox, hepatitis A

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Howard Pride, MD, Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Howard Pride, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Pediatric Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Kevin P Connelly, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Emergency Care, Virginia Commonwealth University; Medical Director, Paws for Health Pet Visitation Program of the Richmond SPCA; Pediatric Emergency Physician, Emergency Consultants Inc, Chippenham Medical Center
Kevin P Connelly, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, and American Osteopathic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from broker recommendation; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from broker recommendation

Managing Editor

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Merrily P M Poth, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Merrily P M Poth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
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.

 
 
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