140: Erythema Elevatum Diutinum Flashcards
What are the clinical features of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED)?
EED presents with erythematous to violaceous papules, nodules, and plaques, symmetrical distribution over joints and extensor surfaces, possible purpura, petechiae, vegetative lesions, ulcerations, and bullous appearance. Lesions are usually round to oval, smooth, and not fixed to underlying structures. They can be asymptomatic or associated with pruritus, pain, burning, stinging, paresthesia, or neuropathy. Systemic symptoms may include arthralgia and fever. Early lesions are often soft and tender, while older lesions may be firm or doughy. Lesions may coalesce into irregular patterns and can resemble xanthomata in color.
What are the two main types of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED) and their characteristics?
The two main types of EED are Bury-type and Hutchinson-type.
Bury-type is more common in young women and often associated with personal and/or family history of rheumatism. Hutchinson-type is more common in older men and often associated with gout.
What is the pathogenesis of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED)?
The pathogenesis of EED is not fully understood, but it is hypothesized that the formation of antigen-antibody complexes leads to deposition in blood vessel walls. Evidence supporting this includes induction of lesions with streptokinase injection, deposition of IgG, IgM, IgA, and fibrin in vascular and perivascular areas on immunofluorescence, and increased C1q-binding activity and enhanced IL-8 responses in affected patients’ sera.
What are the epidemiological characteristics of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED)?
Epidemiological characteristics of EED include unknown incidence with only 250 cases reported. It can present at any age but is most common in the fourth to sixth decades of life. Rare cases have been reported in children. Historically, men are affected more often, but definitive sexual or ethnic predilection is difficult to ascertain due to the low number of cases.
What are the potential triggers for outbreaks of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED)?
Potential triggers for outbreaks of EED include streptococcal infections and cold weather, which can exacerbate symptoms or lead to new lesions.
What is the likely diagnosis for a 45-year-old man with symmetric, violaceous plaques over his elbows and knees, worsened by winter?
The likely diagnosis is Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED). Cold weather exacerbates the symptoms or causes new lesions.
What condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a 60-year-old HIV-positive patient with lesions resembling Kaposi sarcoma?
Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED) should be considered because its varied appearance can resemble Kaposi sarcoma or bacillary angiomatosis in HIV-infected persons.
What subtype of EED is likely in a young woman with a family history of rheumatism and soft, erythematous papules over her joints?
The subtype is likely the ‘Bury-type,’ which is more often seen in young women with a personal and/or family history of rheumatism.
What subtype of EED is likely in an older man with a history of gout and firm, violaceous plaques on his extensor surfaces?
The subtype is likely the ‘Hutchinson-type,’ which is more often seen in older men with gout.
What does it suggest if a patient presents with erythematous plaques that are firm in the evening but softer in the morning?
This suggests Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED). The natural course varies, with spontaneous resolution after 5-10 years in some cases, while fixed lesions may last decades.
What does it suggest if a 50-year-old patient presents with lesions that coalesce into irregular patterns and develop a yellow hue?
This suggests Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED). The yellow hues resemble xanthomata.
What environmental factors might precipitate new outbreaks in a patient with EED?
Streptococcal infections and cold weather can precipitate outbreaks or exacerbate symptoms.
What areas are typically spared in a patient with EED who has lesions on the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees?
The face, ears, buttocks, genitals, retroauricular area, palmoplantar skin, torso, and mucosal membranes are typically spared.
What other systemic symptoms might a patient with EED experience alongside fever and arthralgia?
Other systemic symptoms may include pruritus, pain, burning, stinging, paresthesia, or neuropathy.
What happens to lesions over time in a patient with EED who has firm and raised lesions in the evening?
Over time, the lesions coalesce into irregular patterns, become darker brown or violaceous, and may develop fibrosis.
What is the typical shape and surface of lesions in a patient with EED that are not fixed to underlying structures?
The lesions are round to oval, usually smooth, and without scale.
What is the typical color progression of lesions in a patient with EED that are erythematous in the evening?
The lesions progress from pink or erythematous to brown, violaceous, or yellow hues over time.
What does it suggest if a patient with EED has lesions that are tender and soft?
Tender and soft lesions suggest an early stage of EED.
What does it suggest if a patient with EED has lesions that are firm and doughy?
Firm and doughy lesions suggest an older stage of EED.
What hypothesis explains the pathogenesis of EED in a patient with lesions exacerbated by cold weather?
The hypothesis is that antigen-antibody complexes lead to deposition of immune complexes in blood vessel walls, causing the lesions.
What other immunologic findings support the pathogenesis hypothesis in a patient with EED who has increased C1q-binding activity?
Other findings include deposition of IgG, IgM, IgA, and fibrin in vascular and perivascular locations, and enhanced IL-8 responses.
What does it suggest if a patient with EED has lesions induced by streptokinase injection?
This suggests that streptokinase-streptodornase complexes may play a role in the formation of lesions, supporting the antigen-antibody complex hypothesis.
What clinical feature can help differentiate EED from Kaposi sarcoma in a patient with lesions resembling Kaposi sarcoma?
EED lesions are typically symmetric and distributed over joints and extensor surfaces, unlike Kaposi sarcoma.
What does it indicate if a patient with EED has lesions that are not fixed to underlying structures?
This indicates that the lesions are not invasive and are confined to the skin.
What systemic symptoms might accompany erythematous and raised lesions in a patient with EED?
Systemic symptoms may include fever, arthralgia, pruritus, pain, burning, stinging, paresthesia, or neuropathy.
What is Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED)?
A rare, chronic leukocytoclastic vasculitis characterized by symmetric papules and plaques, primarily over joints and extensor surfaces.
What are the two main types of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Bury-type, more common in young women with a history of rheumatism, and Hutchinson-type, more common in older men with gout.
What is the typical age range for the presentation of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Most common in the fourth through sixth decades of life, but can present at any age.
What are the clinical features of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Erythematous to violaceous papules, nodules, and plaques, often symmetrical, primarily over joints and extensor surfaces.
What systemic symptoms may accompany Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Arthralgia and fever may be experienced with the eruption.
What is the proposed pathogenesis of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Formation of antigen-antibody complexes leading to deposition of immune complexes in blood vessel walls.
What can precipitate outbreaks of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
Streptococcal infections and cold weather can exacerbate symptoms or cause new lesions.
How does the appearance of chronic Erythema Elevatum Diutinum vary in HIV-infected persons?
It can resemble Kaposi sarcoma or bacillary angiomatosis.
What is the natural course of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum?
It can vary; spontaneous resolution may occur after 5 to 10 years, while some lesions may last decades.