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Metastatic Crohn’s disease: a histopathologic study of 12 cases
Author(s) -
Emanuel Patrick O.,
Phelps Robert G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2007.00849.x
Subject(s) - pathology , histopathology , medicine , sarcoidosis , sequela , gastrointestinal tract , disease , differential diagnosis , dermatology , psychiatry
Perhaps, the most intriguing cutaneous sequela of Crohn’s disease (CD) is ‘metastatic’ CD, defined as sterile granulomatous skin lesions arising at sites discontinuous from the gastrointestinal tract. Though various histopathologic patterns have been described, a lack of a large series has precluded a comprehensive characterization and distinction from the pathologic differential diagnoses. The histopathology features of 12 new cases of metastatic CD were reviewed. Non‐supperative granulomata with a slight cuff of lymphocytes in a nodular or diffuse pattern with an associated superficial and deep perivascular mixed inflammatory infiltrate was the most common pattern. Other common features included an accompanying infiltrate which was often rich in eosinophils, and ulceration of the overlying epidermis. These features are emphasized as potentially useful in distinguishing this entity from its greatest mimicker, cutaneous sarcoidosis.