Korean J Dermatol.
1977 Dec;15(4):379-387.
Clinical and Histopathologic Observation in Patients with Erythema Nodosum
Abstract
- Erythema nodosum is clinical entity defined easily, but because of the variable histopathologic findings showing involvement of the vessels, septa, and fat lobules, the histopathologic features often are not compatible with the clinical diagnosis, We present the results of clinical and histopathologic findings in 26 patients with erythema nodosum observed at the Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital, fram January 1973 to August 1976. 1. Clinical Findings Erythema nodosum is characterized by painful erythematous nodose lesion occurring symmetrically(92%) on shins(50%) or shins and calves(50%) of women(M: F==4: 22) between sixteen to twenty five years old of age(58%) chiefly. In laboratory study, leukocytosis(1/17) was rare but increased titers of antistreptolysin(64%) and elevation of E.S.R.(88%) were found frequently. 2. Histopathologic Findings Even though hemorrhage(73%), perivascular(100%) and periadnexal(85%) inflammatory cell infiltration were frequently seen in histopathologic changes of erythema nodosum, these changes were nonspecific. Moreover, granulomatous change (38%), thrombophlehitis(35%) and necrosis of fatty tiasue(38%) were observed not infrequently in erythema nodosum. So we concluded that there were no specific histopathologic findings in erythema nodosum which differentiated from the other erythematous nodose diseases on the legs consisted of panniculitis, thrombophlebitis or granulomatous changes.
