Photoletter to the editor: Dermoscopy of granuloma faciale

Abstract

Granuloma faciale (GF) is a rare benign inflammatory dermatosis that usually develops as a solitary brownish-red plaque on the face. It clinically mimics and is often misinterpreted as, sarcoidosis, lupus erythematosus, lupus vulgaris, lymphoma or basal cell carcinoma.Dermoscopy, which is valuable for evaluation and differentiation between malignant and benign skin tumors, allows better visualization of dermal vascular structures and color variations. In this context, it might serve as an adjuvant diagnostic tool in the differentiation of inflammatory disorders, too. In the current manuscript, we present the dermoscopic features observed in a lesion of GF and discuss them in correlation with the underlying histopathological alterations.

Keywords: dermoscopy; granuloma faciale.

Figure 1

(A) Brownish-red plaque over the nasal ridge with telangiectasias and dilated follicular openings. (B) Arborizing vessels in a parallel arrangement, in the background of red color with scattered aggregations of brown dots/globules. (C) Dilation of infundibula, and mixed inflammation sparing the dermal papillae. (D) Numerous eosinophils and focal haemosiderin deposition close to a dilated dermal venule.