Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Case reports | Clinical features | Clinical images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Positive stainsCite this page: Hamodat M. Gyrate erythema. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/skinnontumorgyrateerythema.html. Accessed December 19th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Various erytematous eruptions with a curvilinear ("gyrate") appearance:
- Erythema annulare centrifugum: most common gyrate erythema, but etiology unknown; may grow over weeks, resolves in 1 - 2 months
- Erythema marginatum rheumaticum: due to rheumatic fever, now extremely rare
- Erythema gyratum repens: uncommon, paraneoplastic process associated with internal malignancy (eMedicine)
- Erythema chronicum migrans: occurs after a tick bite, may be associated with Lyme disease (Wikipedia)
Terminology
- Also called figurate erythema
Case reports
- 64 year old woman with pruritic, erythematous plaques on abdomen and back that appeared and disappeared (Case #71)
Clinical features
- Multiple waves of curvilinear erythema and scale
- Rash may migrate and be pruritic
Clinical images
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Nonspecific changes
- Dense perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate of superficial dermis and possibly deep reticular dermis
- Lymphocytes are well demarcated and adjacent to vessels ("coat sleeve" or "pipe stem" appearance in erythem annulare centrifugum)
- Variable epidermal spongiosis, mild ancanthosis and parakeratosis; may have focal vacuolar changes
Microscopic (histologic) images
Positive stains
- Erythema gyratum repens: occasional presence of C3, C4 and IgG at the basement membrane zone with direct immunofluorescence