© Our Dermatol Online 1.2015 62
Angiocentric lymphomatoid papulosis in a child:
uncommon benign clinical entity with malignant
histology
Kanthilatha Pai, Sathish Pai
1
Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India,
2
Department of Dermatology,
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India
Corresponding author: Dr. Sathish Pai, E-mail: drsbpai@yahoo.co.in
ABSTRACT
Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a rare form of chronic inflammatory skin disease with histologic features of a malignant
lymphoma.It presents clinically with history of recurrent crops of pruritic papules that occur on the trunk and limbs
that resolve spontaneously. We report an unusual case of angiocentric LyP in a 4 year old child and review the literature.
Key words: Lymphomatoid papulosis; child; cutaneous lymphoma
INTRODUCTION
The term lymphomatoid papulosis originally was
used by Macaulay in 1968 to describe “a self-healing
rhythmical paradoxical eruption, histologically
malignant but clinically benign” [1]. Awareness of this
entity is important as the histological features may
result in a mistaken diagnosis of malignant lymphoma,
if clinical picture is not taken into account. Follow-up
is essential as it can progress to malignant lymphoma
in a subset of patients.
CASE REPORT
A 4 year old male child presented with itchy
erythematous and skin colored papules over trunk,
upper and lower limbs of 3 months duration (Fig. 1).
There were few excoriated papules. The child did
not have genital or web space lesions. There was
no history of prior viral infection, drug intake etc.
A clinical diagnosis of prurigo simplex was considered
and a skin biopsy was taken. Histopathological
examination revealed wedge shaped superficial and
deep aggregates of atypical lymphoid cells with
hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm, along
Case Report
How to cite this article: Pai K, Pai S. Angiocentric lymphomatoid papulosis in a child: uncommon benign clinical entity with malignant histology. Our Dermatol
Online. 2015;6(1):62-64.
Submission: 13.09.2014; Acceptance: 10.11.2014
DOI: 10.7241/ourd.20151.15
with few mononuclear Reed Sternberg like cells with
prominent nucleoli, admixed with plasma cells and
histiocytes. Folliculotropism of the lymphoid cells
was noted (Figs 2 and 3). Angiocentric infiltration
around dermal blood vessels with necrosis of blood
vessel wall was seen (Fig. 4). The lymphoid cells were
predominantly CD 3 positive with admixed CD 20
positive cells, while the large atypical cells stained
positive for CD 3 and CD30 (Fig. 5). A diagnosis
of Lymphomatoid papulosis was made based on the
clinical and histopathological features.
The patient’s informed consent was obtained. Prior
to the study, patient gave written consent to the
examination and biopsy after having been informed
about the procedure.
DISCUSSION
Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a chronic
inflammatory skin disease which can histologically be
mistaken for malignant lymphoma. It presents clinically
with recurrent crops of itchy papules that occur on the
trunk and legs that heal spontaneously over 1-2 months
leaving slightly depressed oval scars.