RETICULOHISTIOCYTOMA OF THE SKIN

Abstract

CUTANEOUS nodules are seen frequently in patients suffering from diseases of the joints. In most instances they occur as nodules of rheumatoid arthritis. Less often they are associated with rheumatic fever or gout. The nodular dermatosis that we are reporting bears a gross resemblance to the cutaneous lesions of the above diseases. Histopathologic examination shows that these nodules are unique, however, in being composed of masses of bizarre multinucleated giant cells. This dermatosis either is rare or has rarely been reported in the past, and the identity of the pathognomonic cells has been variously interpreted in the few cases that have been observed. Allen¹ studied sections from two cases, and he considered the nodules to be reticulohistiocytomas. In Allington's case² the diagnoses of gangliioneuroma, histiocytoma, and myoblastoma were considered. Zak³ reported four cases as reticulohistiocytomas of the skin. In 1932 we prepared and studied sections from multiple lesions of a patient of Dr.