Granulomatous diseases

Abstract

Idiopathic granulomatous skin diseases show similar clinical and histological manifestations as infectious granulomas, without any causative agent having been identified so far. Among numerous other inflammatory diseases, cutaneous sarcoidosis, granuloma annulare, and necrobiosis lipoidica are typical diseases. In addition to these idiopathic granulomas, granulomas induced by foreign bodies represent an increasing, often iatrogenic phenomenon in dermatology. Because typically no causal pathogen can be found, the therapy focuses on symptom-oriented procedures. The chapter discusses current classification, clinical, pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of this disease group.