Systemic scleroderma and perforating granuloma annulare: differential diagnosis from calcinosis.

BACKGROUND

Systemic scleroderma is a disorder of unknown etiology with skin sclerosis. Its major histological features are swollen and homogenized collagen bundles.

OBJECTIVE AND

METHODS

We describe 2 patients with systemic sclerosis who have multiple umbilicated nodules indistinguishable from calcinosis cutis.

RESULTS

Histological examinations including Von Kossa staining revealed features of perforating granuloma annulare, but not of calcinosis cutis.

CONCLUSION

The association may not be fortuitous but both diseases may be etiologically related.