We reviewed 32 cases of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma and 16 cases from the world literature. Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a destructive dermal and subcutaneous xanthogranuloma that most frequently involves the face (periorbital region) and trunk. Monoclonal gammopathy is common (IgG-kappa in 23 cases and IgG-lambda in nine cases), and cryoglobulins have also been found. Low complement levels, anemia, and leukopenia are frequently present. Bone marrow examination shows plasma cell proliferation and, rarely, true myeloma. We describe mucosal, muscle, and systemic lesions, including xanthogranulomatous myocardial lesions. The clinical course is chronic and often progressive. Low-dose chlorambucil treatment is safe and effective, but individual patients have responded to treatment with corticosteroids, melphalan, local radiation, and plasma exchange.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.