Novel Use of Topical Dapsone 5% Gel for Erythema Elevatum Diutinum: Safer and Effective

Erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a rare manifestation of a chronic fibrosing cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Although first described in 1888 by Hutchinson, it was not definitively named until 1894 by Radcliffe-Crocker and Williams.^1,2 Since then, approximately 100 cases have been reported.³ EED typically occurs in middle-aged individuals between 40 and 60 years, and has demonstrated a slight male predominance.² Cases associated with HIV infection tend to have an earlier age of onset.⁴ Clinically, EED most frequently involves the extensor surfaces of the extremities in a symmetric fashion, but has also been reported to involve the skin overlying joints, Achilles tendon, and buttocks.^2,5-7 EED involving the penis has been reported in 2 cases.^6,8 Truncal, retroauricular, genital, axillary, and facial lesions are rarely described.² Lesions are characterized by violaceous papules, plaques, or nodules that eventually darken, coalesce, and heal with residual, atrophic, hypo- or hyperpigmented patches with loss of collagen in the dermis, and fibrosis.^5-7 They are generally asymptomatic and soft, secondary to edema and tissue destruction; however, they may be tender, pruritic, painful, or associated with a burning sensation. An annular pattern has been described.² The lesions have a tendency to come and go spontaneously, but typically regress after 5 to 10 years. Persistence for 20 years has nonetheless been reported.⁶ Constitutional symptoms such as fever and arthralgias have been reported, although systemic vasculitis is not present.^2,9,10 The histologic appearance varies depending on the stage of the lesion. Acute lesions show a marked neutrophilic perivascular infiltrate, while fibrotic replacement of the dermis is found in later lesions. The principal histopathologic finding is typically a leukocytoclastic vasculitis, more developed in early lesions, with deposition of complement component 3 at the basal lamina of small vessels, decreased in vitro chemostaxis, and evidence of immune complex formation.⁹ Other histologic findings include a mixed inflammatory infiltrate and dermal vascular proliferation. LeBoit and Cockerell described 4 cases of EED in HIV-seropositive patients that presented clinically as large, fibrotic masses composed histologically of spindle cells and fibrosis with neutrophils clustered in the center of the nodules, associated with leukocytoclasis.⁴ Treatment of EED has historically been oral dapsone. Although a vasculitic process, EED does not respond to prednisone therapy. Dapsone requires glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level (G6PD) screening and monitoring, is not universally tolerable, and carries multiple adverse side effects.⁷ Therefore, we present this case to introduce the novel use of topical dapsone 5% gel (ACZONE; Allergan Inc, Irvine, CA) for EED, as it is locally effective, safe, and free of systemic toxicities and side effects.

An 81-year-old Caucasian gentleman presented without complaints to the dermatology clinic for a scheduled yearly follow-up for rosacea and actinic keratosis. On physical examination, multiple pink to erythematous indurated papules and plaques ranging in size from 0.5 to 1.5 cm, involving the dorsal, lateral, and palmar surfaces of the fingers were incidentally noted (Figure 1). No scaling, erosions, blistering, or ulcerations were seen. The