Cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis in association with tattoos.

Abstract

Sarcoidosis encompasses a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical presentations, including sarcoidosis in association with tattoos. We report the development of cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis in a patient with long-standing eyebrow tattoos whose cutaneous sarcoidosis almost completely resolved when treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. A 70-year-old woman with a 3-year history of an erythematous eruption circumscribing her eyebrow tattoos presented with a chronic, nonproductive cough of 8 months' duration. Skin biopsy results demonstrated naked tubercles consistent with sarcoidosis. Results of radiographs and a computed tomography scan of the chest revealed multiple pulmonary nodules with mediastinal and hilar adenopathy. The results of transbronchial biopsy were consistent with the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Initial treatment with oral prednisone only improved the pulmonary sarcoidosis. The cutaneous sarcoidosis almost completely resolved after the addition of tacrolimus 0.1% ointment.

• Authors: Maeran Chung Landers, Michael Skokan, Sandra Law, Frances J Storrs
• Journal: Cutis (Cutis) Vol. 75 Issue 1 Pg. 44-8 (Jan 2005) ISSN: 0011-4162 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15732434 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids
• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Prednisone
• Tacrolimus

Topics

• Aged
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Sarcoidosis (drug therapy, etiology)
• Skin Diseases (drug therapy, etiology)
• Tacrolimus (therapeutic use)
• Tattooing (adverse effects)