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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 17
| Issue : 2 | Page : 107-109 |
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A forgotten complication of diaper dermatitis: Granuloma gluteale infantum
Nadya A Al-Faraidy, Sahar H Al-Natour
Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| Date of Web Publication | 23-Oct-2010 |
Correspondence Address:
Sahar H Al-Natour
Department of Dermatology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, P.O. Box 2208, Al-Khobar 31952
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
DOI: 10.4103/1319-1683.71994 PMID: 21359035
 Abstract | | |
Granuloma Gluteale Infantum (GGI) is a rare condition of unclear etiology, [1] presenting as asymptomatic cherry red nodules in the diaper area appearing in the setting of primary irritant contact dermatitis. [2] A 50 day old infant with GGI is presented to emphasize that the condition may be easily missed, and that it may result from the misuse of fluorinated topical steroids used to treat a rash in the diaper area. This is the first case reported from Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Granuloma gluteale infantum, fluorinated steroids, diaper dermatitis
How to cite this article:
Al-Faraidy NA, Al-Natour SH. A forgotten complication of diaper dermatitis: Granuloma gluteale infantum. J Fam Community Med 2010;17:107-9 |
| Introduction | |  |
Granuloma gluteale infantum (GGI) was described as early as 1891 and was later named "vegetating bromidism" due to its occurrence on application of bromide containing ointments. [3] Since Tappeiner and Pfleger first reported 6 cases, [4] similar cases have been reported in the USA, Europe and Japan. [2]
| Case Report | | |
A 50- day old Saudi male presented to our dermatology clinic with a worsening rash in the diaper area of 5 weeks duration. At the onset of the rash, he was treated with a topical nystatin and triamcinolone acetonide cream for 2 weeks with no improvement. He then, was given a cream containing zinc oxide and hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% with minimal improvement. At this time, he presented to our clinic where a diagnosis of "eroded diaper dermatitis" was made. He was treated with topical fusidic acid and betamethasone valerate 0.1% creams. In one week, the rash had resolved but multiple deep purple-red nodules, 0.5- 1 cm in size were noted on the convexities of the gluteal region with the long axis of the nodules parallel to the skin folds. The nodules were indurated, non-oozing and not tender [Figure 1]. A clinical diagnosis of GGI was made and a biopsy was performed to rule out other conditions. Histological examination revealed prominent parakeratosis overlying regular acanthosis. There was mild to moderate spongiosis and exocytosis and a moderate mononuclear perivascular infiltrate. PAS and Grocott stains did not show any fungal elements [Figure 2] a,b. The nodules resolved completely with slight hyperpigmentation and residual atrophic scarring within one month after discontinuation of the topical fluorinated steroids [Figure 3]. | Figure 1: The patient initially presented with multiple purple-red nonoozing indurated nodules on the gluteal area.
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 | Figure 2: a: Histology showed parakeratosis, moderate regular acanthosis, moderate spongiosis and mild exocytosis. (H and E stain ×50)
b: Moderate predominantly mononuclear perivascular mixed infl ammatory dermal cell infi ltrate. (H and E stain ×400)
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 | Figure 3: Resolution of the nodules with slightly atrophic hyperpigmented scarring 1 month after stopping the fl uorinated steroids.
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| Discussion | | |
Diaper dermatitis is the most common skin condition in infants, and accounts for 20% of all dermatitides in that age group with no predilection to a certain age or gender. The average onset is at 9-12 months of age, but it may occur as early as the first month. Diaper dermatitis resolves spontaneously with empirical treatment in most patients. Few patients present with complications which include punched out ulcers or erosions with elevated borders typical of Jacquet's erosive diaper dermatitis; pseudoverroucus papules and nodules, and 0.5- 4.0 cm asymptomatic cherry red plaques and nodules of granuloma gluteale infantum.
Granuloma gluteale infantum is a rare though a distinctive dermatosis of infancy of unknown etiology. [1] Irritant contact dermatitis, [5] candidiasis, [2] occlusion from diapers in incontinent infants and adults [6],[7] and the prolonged use of benzocaine [8] and fluorinated steroids [2],[9] have been considered as contributing factors for the development of GGI.
The histological picture is that of a non-specific perivascular dermal infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils; with an overlying hyperplastic epidermis and parakeratosis.
Our case fits the classic description of GGI as far as the clinical presentation and histologic features and occurrence after prolonged use of fluorinated steroids. Attention is drawn to this condition as the appearance of the dermatosis can be suggestive of granulomatous or neoplastic diseases. [5] When recognized, GGI responds rapidly to removal of possible aggravating factors such as topical fluorinated steroids as the case in our patient leaving hyperpigmentation and slight atrophic scarring. [9],[10],[11]
The diagnosis of GGI should be considered in longstanding and unresponsive cases of diaper dermatitis in infants as the inflammation can easily mask the underlying characteristic nodules suggestive of the diagnosis. The main conditions that can be mistaken for GGI with the differentiating features are summarized in [Table 1]. | Table 1: Conditions that can be mistaken for GGI with differentiating features
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| References | | |
| 1. | Konya J, Gow E. Granuloma gluteale infantum. Australas J Dermatol 1996;37:57-8.  [PUBMED] |
| 2. | De Zeeuw R, Van Praag MC, Oranje AP. Granuloma gluteale infantum: a case report. Pediatr Dermatol 2000;17:141-3. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 3. | Simmons IJ. Granuloma gluteale infantum. Australas J Dermatol 1977;18:20-4. [PUBMED] |
| 4. | Tappeiner J, Pfleger L. Granuloma gluteale infantum. Hautarzt 1971;22:383-8. [PUBMED] |
| 5. | Walsh SS, Robson WJ. Granuloma gluteale infantum: an unusual complication of napkin dermatitis. Arch Emerg Med 1988;5:113-5. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 6. | Mostafa WZ, Abahussein AA, Alzayer AA. Diaper area granuloma of incontinence. J Dermatol 1992;19:319-22. [PUBMED] |
| 7. | Rodriguez Cano L, Garcia-Patos Briones V, Pedragosa Jove R, Castells Rodellas A. Perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules after surgery for Hirschprung's disease. J Pediatr 1994;125:914-6. |
| 8. | Dytoc MT, Fiorillo L, Liao J, Krol AL. Granuloma gluteale adultorum associated with use of topical benzocaine preparations: case report and literature review. J Cutan Med Surg 2002;6:221-5. [PUBMED] [FULLTEXT] |
| 9. | Pons S. Granuloma gluteale infantum. Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am 1976;4:359-64. [PUBMED] |
| 10. | Wilkinson S, Goldman L. Granuloma gluteale infantum. Cutis 1981;28:644-8. [PUBMED] |
| 11. | Bonifazi E, Garofalo L, Lospalluti M , Scardigno A, Coviello C, Meneghini CL. Granuloma gluteale infantum with atrophic scars: clinical and histological observations in eleven cases. Clin Exp Dermatol 1981;6:23-9. [PUBMED] |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
[Table 1]
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