Erythema annulare centrifugum?

Abstract

Abstract Erythema annulare centrifugum (EAC) is a clinical reaction pattern and does not represent a specific clinicopathological entity. As the presented case of an EAC-like allergic contact dermatitis shows, behind the term EAC could be hidden various distinct diagnoses. In the meantime, this observation has been confirmed by an extensive retrospective analysis of so called EAC-cases. Thus, the clinical and histological differential diagnosis EAC should lead the physician to consider three main groups of diseases which are often hidden behind. Besides (tumid) lupus erythematosus, this concerns spongiotic dermatitides either in terms of subacute and chronic dermatitis (eczema), excessive variants of pityriasis rosea or stasis dermatitis. Moreover, less often, pseudolymphomas, in particular borrelia-associated pseudolymphomas are seen. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart• New York.