Defective neutrophil migration in granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, and sarcoidosis.

The neutrophil mobility in patients with granuloma annulare, necrobiosis lipoidica, and sarcoidosis was tested using both in vivo and in vitro techniques. Use of a skin window chamber for measurement of chemotaxis in vivo demonstrated defective neutrophil migration in each group. This contrasted with the finding that, in vitro, chemotaxis toward casein and endotoxin-activated sera was normal. The importance of this dissociation is discussed. Abnormal neutrophil accumulation at sites of inflammation may be of importance in the pathogenesis of these granulomatous disorders.