Actinically degenerate elastic tissue is the likely antigenic basis of actinic granuloma of the skin and of temporal arteritis

Elastolytic Actinic Giant Cell Granuloma

“…4). 3,4 Whether it should be considered a specific entity or a subtype of granuloma annulare (GA) is a topic of discussion. The original concept was disputed by Ragaz and Ackerman, 5 who thought that the lesions described by O'Brien 2 were variants of GA in sun-damaged skin.…”

Sarcoid Variant of Actinic Granuloma: Is It Annular Sarcoidosis?

“…Non-palisading granulomas, lymphohistiocytic infiltrates and loss of elastic tissue are found in AG and AEGCG. Moreover, both conditions are characterized by multinucleated giant cells which are engaged in digesting and absorbing elastotic fibres [4,6]. Similar histopathological features are seen in a variety of other elastolytic disorders, e.g.…”

“…Histopathologically, sarcoid granulomas are characterized by the formation of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas ('naked tubercles') [1][2][3]. Cutaneous sarcoidosis is closely related to actinic granuloma (AG) which is characterized by phagocytosis of actinically damaged elastic fibres by multinucleated giant cells [4]. We report on a patient with systemic sarcoidosis associated with annular lesions on sun-exposed skin.…”

“…These histopathological features were not evident in our patient. Moreover, GA and NLD are usually not localized on the face [3][4][5]. Thus, it is unlikely that our patient had GA or NLD.…”

“…Thus, it is unlikely that our patient had GA or NLD. Annular lesions in sun-exposed skin are typical features of AG [4] and annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) [6]. Miescher's granuloma of the face [7] as well as atypical necrobiosis lipoidica of the face and scalp [8] are nowadays regarded as variants of AG or AEGCG [4].…”