Can Granuloma Annulare Evolve Into Cutaneous Sarcoidosis?

We report the unique case of a 50-year-old African American female with pulmonary sarcoidosis who presented with a new ichthyosiform eruption symmetrically located on the anterior shins and surrounded by red, translucent, intradermal papules. A skin biopsy of a new red papule showed features consistent with granuloma annulare (GA) with positive mucin staining, and an older hyperpigmented papule showed classic dermal noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis.
Recent reports have clearly demonstrated GA occurring in association with sarcoidosis, but this is the first report that suggests that a GA lesion may develop into a sarcoidal granuloma. We propose that GA may act as a precursor lesion to the more mature sarcoidal granuloma. This case further underscores the importance of careful clinicopathologic correlation.