Dr Feroze Kaliyadan

Egyptian Dermatology Online Journal 5 (1): 7, June 2009

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Abstract

A 26-year-old female patient was referred to us for skin lesions mainly over extensor surfaces of limb joints and ear lobes of two-week duration. Patient was under evaluation as an in-patient in the department of internal medicine for recurrent polyarthritis and fever. A skin biopsy from the lesion demonstrated a neutrophilic vasculitis and blood investigations significantly showed a pANCA (Peripheral Anti-Neutrophilic Cytoplasmic Antibody) and rheumatoid factor positivity. A diagnosis of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED) was considered based on the clinical features and investigation results. We present this a case of EED with vesicular lesions associated with rheumatoid arthritis and pANCA positivity.

Case report:

A 26-year-old female patient, being treated as an in-patient under internal medicine was referred to us for raised skin lesions over multiple areas of the body of two weeks duration. Her complaints had started as fever and joint pains associated with raised skin lesions mainly over the elbows, knees, ankles and ear lobes [Fig1, Fig2 and Fig3]. There was no significant itching, burning or pain. The fever was high grade and intermittent. Joint involvement was limited to elbow joints, knee joints and small joints of fingers. She had no history of any mucosal lesions or epistaxis. She did not complain of any respiratory difficulties, dysuria, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain. There was no history suggestive of any bleeding tendencies. The patient did not give a history of any visual problems.

Fig 1: Vesicles, papules, papulo-vesicles and nodules on the right elbow

Fig 2: Vesicular lesions on the right ear lobe

Fig 3: Vesicles over left ear lobe

In the past (9 years ago) she had been evaluated for an episode of fever, arthritis and skin rash which was then diagnosed as systemic vasculitis and had been treated with oral steroids for 3 years. Since then she had had intermittent episodes of arthritis with significant morning stiffness and skin rashes mainly over the extensor aspects. All her symptoms had been relatively well controlled with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs along with intermittent steroids. There was no past history of seizures or cardiac problems. There was no personal or family history of tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, hypertension or diabetes mellitus.

On dermatological examination grouped erythematous papules, nodules and vesicles with minimal crusting were seen mainly over the elbow joints, knee joints, ankles, lower legs, dorsum of hands and ear lobes. The vesicular lesions were tense and clear. There were no evident hemorrhagic vesicles. There was no evidence of mucosal involvement. Scalp, hair, nails, palms and soles were normal.

A clinical diagnosis of cutaneous vasculitis was considered, the primary differential for the cutaneous lesions being erythema elevatum diutinum. The other differentials considered included rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis , rheumatoid vasculitis, non-specific ANCA positive vasculitis and atypical pyoderma gangrenosum. However, the distribution of the lesions was more in favour of EED. Rheumatoid arthritis was considered as the primary systemic diagnosis (The diagnosis of EED mainly being based on the nature and distribution of the lesions, and the known association of EED with rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis). A skin biopsy demonstrated a prominent neutrophilic vasculitis with subepidermal clefting in the specimen taken from the vesicular area [Fig4 and Fig5]. There was no evidence of granulomatous inflammation. Direct immuno-fluorescence was negative.

Fig 4: Histopathology (H&E 20X) showing sub-epidermal with dermal neutrophilic infiltration

Fig 5: Histopathology (H&E X100) showing pan-dermal neutrophilic infiltration with focal leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Blood results showed revealed significant anaemia (haemoglobin count was 6.2 g/dl at the time of admission), raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (80mm at time of admission) strongly positive rheumatoid factor and a positive p-ANCA. Antinuclear antibody profile and cANCA were negative.

Chest radiography was normal. Electro-Cardio-Gram showed normal sinus rhythm. Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis showed a mild hepatomegaly. Serum electrophoresis was normal. Widal test was negative. Blood culture and urine culture did not show any growth. Leptospira IgM Elisa, Dengue virus IgM Elisa, Paul-Bunnel test and Chikungunya IgM rapid test were all negative. Peripheral smear showed a microcytic, hypochromic, anemia with neutrophilic leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. VDRL, HIV 1 & 2 antibody, HBsAg, and antiHCV screen was negative.Cardiac Echo and bone marrow examination were also done, both of which were normal.

Finally based on the clinical, histological and laboratory findings a diagnosis of Erythema Elevatum Diutinum associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis was made. The severe anaemia was attributed to chronic rheumatoid arthritis as bone marrow and electrophoresis findings were normal. Patient was started on injectable methylprednisolone and hydroxychloroquine along with supportive measures - iron supplementation and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient showed good response with complete remission of skin lesions and significant improvement in articular symptoms at time of discharge for a further follow up after a month.

Discussion:

Erythema Elevatum Diutinum (EED) is chronic cutaneous vasculitis occurring in association with a variety of conditions including autoimmunity, infectious disease, and hematological abnormalities. The role of associated medical problems is controversial, and the exact pathogenesis of EED is unknown although an Arthus-type reaction to bacterial and viral antigens has been suggested [1]

The typical clinical presentation is described as erythematous papules and plaques involving the extensor surfaces of the extremities. Histologically, a spectrum from leukocytoclastic vasculitis to vessel occlusion and dermal fibrosis can be seen. The lesions of EED have many mimics clinically and histologically [2,3]. Establishing the diagnosis of EED is important so appropriate screening for associated conditions can ensue. Erythema elevatum diutinum has been associated with several immunological and infectious diseases such as recurrent / chronic bacterial infection (esp. streptococcal), HIV, collagen vascular diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, relapsing polychondritis, lupus erythematosus), haematological disorders (hypergammaglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplasia), inflammatory bowel disease, B-cell lymphomas, myeloproliferative disorders and gout [4,5]. Immuno-histochemical studies have demonstrated that the vascular endothelium of EED stains positive for CD31, CD34, VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ), and factor VIIIa and negative for factor XIIIa, and TGFB (Transforming Growth Factor Beta), a reaction pattern that does not distinguish it from similar appearing lesions. Thus, the chronic and recurrent nature of EED is the primary means of distinguishing it from entities that are clinically and histologically similar [6]

Vesiculobullous lesions have been reported in EED, though this is very rare [1,7]. To the best of our knowledge there is no specific report of vesicular EED occurring in the context of rheumatoid arthritis.

Various treatment options have been tried in EED including dapsone [8], systemic corticosteroids, tetracycline, niacinamide [7], sulfapyridine and colchicine. EED associated with paraproteinemia has been reported to respond to intermittent plasma exchange [9].

Vesicular lesions histologically showing neutrophilic vasculitis, over extensor surfaces have been described in various ANCA positive vasculitis like Wegener's granulomatosis and microscopic polyangiitis [10]. However in our case there was no other clinical evidence to suggest a primary ANCA positive vasculitis. Hence ANCA positivity might have been only a non-specific incidental finding. Moreover ANCA positivity has been well documented in rheumatoid arthritis [11,12,13] as well as in EED itself [14]. The other possible diagnosis to be thought of in this case would be rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatosis which is a rare cutaneous manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis and can present with erythematous papules, purpuric lesions, nodules and pustular lesions. The common sites affected include the trunk shoulders and neck .[15] We present this case to highlight the possibility of EED in patients presenting with vesicular lesions and also to consider the possibility of EED in patients presenting with vesicular lesions in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis and ANCA positivity.

References

© 2009 Egyptian Dermatology Online Journal