Clinicopathological Features of Annular Elastolytic Giant Cell Granuloma Patients

Objective: Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a rare granulomatous disease characterized by annular plaques. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical and pathological features of the patients diagnosed with AEGCG. Methods: The demographic, clinical and pathological features of patients who diagnosed with AEGCG were recorded retrospectively. Results: Ten patients with AEGCG included in the study (nine females and one male). The mean age of the patients was 60±9.53 years. The mean duration of disease was 24.2±36.30 months. On dermatologic examination, multiple, well-demarcated, elevated borders and central atrophic erythematous annular plaques were seen in all patients. In the most of the patients (90%) lesions were on the sun-exposed regions. Six of the patients had accompanying diseases. Histopathologic examination of the punch biopsies revealed foreign body type multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytic cell infiltration in the dermis. There were intracellular elastic fiber fragments as sign of elastophagocytosis in the giant cells. Conclusion: AEGCG is a rare granulomatous disease which can accompany various diseases. There is debate on the terminology, classification and pathogenesis. Further studies are required to elucidate the unknowns.