Erythema gyratum repens L53.3

Rare clinical picture, now controversial as an entity, originally described as "obligate cutaneous paraneoplasia" in carcinomas of the mamma (6%), the female genital, the pharynx, the bronchi (in 50% of cases), the oesophagus or the stomach. The exanthematic skin changes can precede a tumor disease by 4-8 months (see below notes). In the meantime, the erythema gyratum repens has also been described in non-tumorous diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis).

Unclear. Immunological reactions to various antigens (tumor products 70% of patients, infection-associated antigens, drugs) are discussed among others, which lead to the described (not specific, but indicative) morphological pattern of the skin.

Occurring mainly in adults, usually 40th-60th l yr; m:f=2:1;

Anular, garland-shaped or spirally intertwined, slightly infiltrated, always marginal erythema and plaques. Possibly also urticarial, 1-2 cm wide, rapidly changing erythema stripes with marginal, somewhat raised scaling.

The skin changes are often described as "wood grain-like" or as "zebra stripes (red-white zebra)", which would distinguish them from the clinically similar changes of erythema anulare centrifugum . To what extent this morphologic feature can be considered a specific feature of this disease remains questionable.

Furthermore, flat, scaly erythema on the face, neck, hands and feet. Small spotted recurrences in the healed areas.

In some patients, additional palmoplantar keratoses or an acquired ichthyosis existed.

Hematoeosinophilia is detectable in 50% of cases.

In a summary evaluation of the relevant literature with 112 cases of EGR, malignant internal neoplasms were detected in only 52% of the cases according to Rongioletti F et al (2014). 48% of the cases were evaluated as non-paraneoplastic. Thus, the classification of erythema gyratum repens as a morphologic entity and as an obligate paraneoplasia must be doubted. Rather, it has to be classified as a "non-specific réaction cutanée" to different systemic processes or as a particular morphological pattern of different figured skin diseases (intimal changes in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or in pityriasis rubra pilaris - Almaani N et al. 2011) or as a drug reaction. Furthermore, EGR has been described in association with rheumatoid arthritis or also as para- or post-infectious (e.g. in pulmonary tuberculosis and leprosy).

• The 65-year-old woman had hardly noticed any itchy, red plaques for 6 months, which developed within weeks from 0.5-1.0 cm large solid plaques to large-area anular or circulatory, slightly infiltrated, linear plaques.
• Based on the clinical picture, a suspected diagnosis of erythema gyratum repens was made. A subtle examination revealed no evidence of internal malignancy. The laboratory was completely unremarkable.
• Histology: Uncharacteristic perivascular infiltrates of lymphocytes, monocytes, histiocytes and isolated eosinophilic leukocytes. Focal parakeratosis.
• Course: After 6 months of blande local therapy the HV regressed completely. A new clinical examination did not show any evidence of an internal tumor.

1. Almaani N et al (2011) Erythema gyratum repens associated with pityriasis rubra pilaris. Clin Exp Dermatol 36:161-164.

2. Bryan ME et al (2003) Erythema gyratum repens associated with pityriasis rubra pilaris. J Drugs Dermatol 2: 315-317

3. Endo Y et al (2013) Erythema gyratum repens preceding the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Eur J Dermatol 23:399-400

4. Galán-Gutiérrez M, Martínez-Peinado CM, Ruiz-Villaverde R. Erythema gyratum repens: Not always a paraneoplastic disease. Rev Clin Esp 214:425-427
5. Gammel JA (1953) Erythema gyratum repens. Arch Derm Syph 66: 494-505
6. High WA et al (2003) Superficial gyrate erythema as a cutaneous reaction to alendronate for osteoporosis. J Am Acad Dermatol 48: 945-946
7. Holcomb M et al (2012) Erythema gyratum repens-like eruptions with large cell transformation in a patient with mycosis fungoides. Int J Dermatol 51:1231-1233
8. Lo Schiavo A et al (2012) Erythema gyratum repens and rheumatoid arthritis: an unrecognized association? Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 78:122
9. Nagase K et al (2014) CD4/CD8 double-negative mycosis fungoides mimicking erythema gyratum repens in a patient with underlying lung cancer. Acta Derm Venereol 94:89-90
10. Marchetti MA et al (2013) Pityriasis rubra pilaris treated with methotrexate resolving with an erythema gyratum repens-like appearance. J Am Acad Dermatol 69:e32-3

11. Rongioletti F et al (2014) Erythema gyratum repens is not an obligate paraneoplastic disease: a systematic review of the literature and personal experience. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 28:112-115.

12. Rongioletti F et al (2012) Erythema gyratum repens induced by pegylated interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis C. Arch Dermatol 148:1213-1214
13. Sohl S et al. (2009) Woodgrain-like exanthema with central fading at the lower extremity. SDDG 7: 261-262