Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the eyelid

Ocular complications of plasma cell dyscrasias

Plasma cell dyscrasias are a wide range of severe monoclonal gammopathies caused by pre-malignant or malignant plasma cells that over-secrete an abnormal monoclonal antibody. These disorders are associated with various systemic findings, including ophthalmological disorders. A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane databases was performed in March 2021 to examine evidence pertaining to ocular complications in patients diagnosed with plasma cell dyscrasias. This review outlines the ocular complications associated with smoldering multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, plasmacytomas, multiple myeloma, Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, systemic amyloidosis, Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy and Skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, and cryoglobulinemia. Although, the pathological mechanisms are not completely elucidated yet, wide-ranging ocular presentations have been identified over the years, evolving both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Moreover, the presenting symptoms also help in early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients. Therefore, it is imperative for the treating ophthalmologist and oncologist to maintain a high clinical suspicion for identifying the ophthalmological signs and diagnosing the underlying disease, preventing its progression through efficacious treatment strategies.

Systemic therapy of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Even though a plethora of systemic therapies have been proposed for necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG), there is no systematic review on this topic in literature.

OBJECTIVE

To review all existing literature on the systemic therapy of NXG in order to identify the most effective therapies.

METHODS

All reported papers in the literature were screened for systemic treatments of NXG. Papers without proper description of the therapies, papers describing topical therapy, and articles without assessment of effectiveness were excluded. Subsequently, we analyzed 79 papers and a total of 175 cases.

RESULTS

The most effective treatments for NXG are intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), corticosteroids, and combination therapies including corticosteroids.

CONCLUSIONS

Corticosteroids and IVIG should therefore be considered first-line treatments in patients with NXG.

A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study and Systematic Review of Necrobiotic Xanthogranuloma With Proposed Diagnostic Criteria

Importance

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis classically associated with paraproteinemia attributable to plasma-cell dyscrasias or lymphoproliferative disorders. Despite the morbidity of NXG, the literature is limited to case reports and small studies, and diagnostic criteria are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the characteristics of NXG and propose diagnostic criteria.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary academic referral centers and followed by a systematic review and a consensus exercise. The multicenter cohort included patients with NXG diagnosed at the Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General Hospitals (2000-2018), the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2000-2018), and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (2008-2018). The systematic review was conducted in 2018 and included patients with NXG identified in the Cochrane, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The consensus exercise was conducted by 8 board-certified dermatologists to identify diagnostic criteria.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Demographic factors, comorbidities, clinical features, and treatment response.

Results

Of 235 included patients with NXG (34 from the multicenter cohort and 201 from the systematic review results), the mean (SD) age at presentation was 61.6 (14.2) years; 147 (62.6%) were female. Paraproteinemia was detected in 193 patients (82.1%), most often IgG-κ (117 patients [50.0%]). A malignant condition was detected in 59 patients (25.1%), most often multiple myeloma (33 patients [14.0%]). The overall rate of paraproteinemia and/or a malignant condition was 83.8% (197 patients). In the multicenter cohort, evolution of paraproteinemia into multiple myeloma was observed up to 5.7 years (median [range], 2.4 [0.1-5.7] years) after NXG presentation. Cutaneous lesions consisted of papules, plaques, and/or nodules, typically yellow or orange in color (113 of 187 [60.4%]) with a periorbital distribution (130 of 219 [59.3%]). The eye was the leading site of extracutaneous involvement (34 of 235 [14.5%]). In the multicenter cohort, intravenous immunoglobulin had the best treatment response rate (9 of 9 patients [100%]), followed by antimalarial drugs (4 of 5 patients [80%]), intralesional triamcinolone (6 of 8 patients [75%]), surgery (3 of 4 patients [75%]), chemotherapy (8 of 12 patients [67%]), and lenalidomide or thalidomide (5 of 8 patients [63%]). The consensus exercise yielded 2 major criteria, which were (1) clinical and (2) histopathological features consistent with NXG, and 2 minor criteria, consisting of (1) paraproteinemia, plasma-cell dyscrasia, and/or other associated lymphoproliferative disorder and (2) periorbital distribution of cutaneous lesions. In the absence of foreign body, infection, or another identifiable cause, fulfillment of both major and at least 1 minor criterion were proposed to establish the diagnosis of NXG.

Conclusions and Relevance

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a multisystem disorder associated with paraproteinemia and malignant conditions. The proposed diagnostic criteria may advance clinical research and should be validated.

Pathology of eyelid tumors

The eyelids are composed of four layers: skin and subcutaneous tissue including its adnexa, striated muscle, tarsus with the meibomian glands, and the palpebral conjunctiva. Benign and malignant tumors can arise from each of the eyelid layers. Most eyelid tumors are of cutaneous origin, mostly epidermal, which can be divided into epithelial and melanocytic tumors. Benign epithelial lesions, cystic lesions, and benign melanocytic lesions are very common. The most common malignant eyelid tumors are basal cell carcinoma in Caucasians and sebaceous gland carcinoma in Asians. Adnexal and stromal tumors are less frequent. The present review describes the more important eyelid tumors according to the following groups: Benign and malignant epithelial tumors, benign and malignant melanocytic tumors, benign and malignant adnexal tumors, stromal eyelid tumors, lymphoproliferative and metastatic tumors, other rare eyelid tumors, and inflammatory and infections lesions that simulate neoplasms.

Management of Uveitis and Scleritis in Necrobiotic Xanthogranuloma

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a chronic, progressive non-Langerhans histiocytic granulomatous disease. While case reports describing periorbital involvement of NXG are frequent, only a few case reports describing ocular involvement, such as scleritis and uveitis, exist. Herein, we present a case presenting initially as bilateral anterior and posterior scleritis, as well as a chronic bilateral granulomatous panuveitis, and discuss the immunosuppressant options that should be considered for this disease with protean manifestations.

[Skin manifestations of monoclonal gammopathies]

Whatever their aetiology, monoclonal gammopathies can be associated to several clinical features. Mechanisms are various and sometimes unknown. Skin is frequently involved and may represent a challenging diagnosis. Indeed, skin manifestations are either the presenting features and isolated, or at the background of a systemic syndrome. Our objective was to review the various skin manifestations that have been associated with monoclonal gammopathies.

Local corticosteroid treatment of eyelid and orbital xanthogranuloma

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the efficacy of local corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of eyelid and orbital xanthogranuloma in adults.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective chart review of 6 patients receiving local triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/ml) injections for the treatment of eyelid and orbital xanthogranuloma at the University of Michigan. All patients underwent diagnostic biopsy before treatment. The effects of this therapy on symptoms and signs of the disease were assessed.

RESULTS

All 6 patients had eyelid swelling or nodularity and 5 had yellow discoloration of their eyelids. All lesions involved the eyelids and anterior orbit and 5 were present bilaterally. Biopsy revealed necrobiotic xanthogranuloma in 4 patients and adult-onset xanthogranuloma in 2 patients. Triamcinolone acetonide was administered intralesionally as series of 2 to 25 injections. Local control was obtained in all 6 cases, with the reduction of symptoms and signs of the disease in 5 cases. Two patients with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma had development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Average follow-up of patients whose treatment was not truncated by systemic chemotherapy was 52 months (range, 30 to 86 months). No complications occurred as a result of this treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide is an effective, safe treatment for orbital xanthogranuloma in adults. This modality avoids the side effects associated with systemic corticosteroid or cytotoxic agent therapy.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma associated with paraproteinemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma developing into chronic lymphocytic leukemia: the first case reported in the literature and review of the literature

A 56-year-old married female presented in May 1998 with a 5-month history of xanthelasma of the eyelids, followed 4 months later by two enlarged lymph nodes of the left side of the neck and three of the left axilla. At the same time, she developed xanthomatous patches on the face, neck, and shoulders (Fig. 1). The cutaneous lesions were xanthomatous nodules and plaques, affecting the periorbital regions. Later, the whole face was affected, followed by ulcerated lesions on the scalp, chest, back, and extremities (Fig. 2). The skin lesions became painful, pruritic, ulcerated tumors (Fig. 3). In July 1998, computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest and abdomen with contrast medium showed pretracheal, bilateral axillary, right retrochural, paracaval, aortocaval, and para-aortic lymph node enlargement. These findings were suggestive of lymphoma. CT scan also showed slight heterogeneous hypodensity in the upper part of the right lobe of the liver, suggesting fatty infiltration. The spleen, pancreas, and suprarenal glands appeared normal. One cervical and two left axillary lymph nodes were excised. They revealed total replacement of the nodular architecture by a diffuse proliferation of mature lymphoid cells having small nuclei and a crumbled chromatin pattern, and very rare mitosis. It was concluded from the lymph node biopsies that these changes were typical of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse and small cell type, of low-grade malignancy. A bone marrow aspirate showed a marrow heavily infiltrated by lymphoid cells with some immaturity. The megakaryopoiesis was adequate. Trephine biopsies showed similar changes. Iron stores appeared to be absent. The bone marrow picture was consistent with diffuse, well-differentiated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, developing into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Endoscopy showed antral-type gastric mucosa exhibiting mild chronic gastritis. Skin biopsy from a fresh lesion on the back showed a diffuse inflammatory cell infiltrate with collections of histiocytic cells. It also showed necrobiotic foci, surrounded by mixed inflammatory cells, dark palisaded foamy histiocytes, and a few Touton giant cells. These findings are compatible with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) (Figs 4 and 5). Blood film showed normochromic, normocytic erythrocytes with anisopoikilocytotic leukocytes and normal platelets. The sedimentation rate was 90 mm in the first hour. The blood picture also showed monoclonal IgG paraprotein (3170 mg/dL) of the kappa light chain type. The patient was treated by the oncologist for her lymphoma, and was given Cytoxan, prednisolone, endoxan, Leukeran, and melphalan. She showed an excellent response to pulsed treatment with steroids (60 mg prednisolone orally daily for 5 days, repeated every month for 6 months). She also responded to Leukeran at a dose of 5 mg daily for 5 days every month for 6 months, and showed regression in the size of the lymph nodes. The treatment of her skin lesions was unsatisfactory in spite of the fact that she was given cyclosporine and both systemic and topical corticosteroids.

[Long-term course of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with ocular involvement]

The clinical features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NX) have been presented in a series of case reports, but there are hardly any reports on the clinical long-term course of this rare and usually chronic entity. Therapeutic recommendations are mostly based on individual observations, lacking general therapeutic guidelines. To illustrate a typical chronic and progressive course of NX, we report the case of a 64-year-old woman with periorbital NX, ocular involvement and IgG paraproteinemia. Diagnosed with NX for the first time in 1993, the patient was already presented in this journal in 1995. Since then a series of therapeutic options including medication with dapsone, chlorambucil, interferon-alpha, clofazimine, melphalan, fumaric acid esters, surgical treatment and other physical therapies such as radiation, plasmapheresis, and photodynamic therapy have been applied. None of these therapeutic approaches, however, showed a satisfying long-term effect. At present the patient is undergoing cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone pulse therapy.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with cutaneous and cerebral manifestations

✓ Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a rare inflammatory histiocytic disease of the skin. Xanthogranuloma of the central nervous system is rare and few cases have been reported. To the authors' knowledge, there has been no previously reported case of NXG in which an intracranial lesion was found.

This 52-year-old man, in whom NXG with all its cutaneous manifestations had been diagnosed, presented with three episodes of generalized tonic—clonic seizures. A contrast-enhanced computerized tomography scan of his brain revealed a bifrontal, dura-based mass lesion. The lesion was excised and reported to be an NXG that was similar, but not identical to the skin lesions. The patient was placed on a regimen of antiepileptic drug and chlorambucil after surgery.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma associated with myeloma

We observed a 73-year-old man with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) on the eyelids and concurrent multiple myeloma. The treatment was surgery followed by administration of melphalan. No relapse was seen in 19 months of follow-up. We consider that surgical removal of xanthogranuloma is an advisable rapid treatment that involves fewer side-effects than other treatments.

Conjunctival necrobiotic granuloma in xeroderma pigmentosum

PURPOSE

We report clinical and histopathologic findings of a conjunctival lesion associated with xeroderma pigmentosum.

METHODS

A Saudi girl with known xeroderma pigmentosum presented with pain and photophobia of the right eye and an elevated temporally located perilimbal mass.

RESULTS

The mass was resected successfully and has not recurred during 1-year follow-up. Histopathologic examination of the tissue showed a necrobiotic granuloma with associated histiocytic infiltration. The patient had no systemic disease, lipid was not detected in the histiocytic lesion, no Touton giant cells were present, and there was no evidence of elastolysis.

CONCLUSION

Ocular malignancies occur in association with xeroderma pigmentosum, but benign lesions that mimic a malignancy may occur.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma: long-term outcome of ocular and systemic involvement

PURPOSE

To report long-term outcomes of patients with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, to investigate the propriety of therapeutic surgical excision or debulking, and to study tissue specimens by immunoperoxidase staining and in situ hybridization.

METHODS

Medical records of all patients at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma between 1980 and 1997 were reviewed. A follow-up letter was sent to each patient inquiring about the current status of the lesions, the treatment regimen, and associated systemic diseases.

RESULTS

The average age (+/- standard deviation) of the 15 men and 11 women was 56.8 +/- 14.8 years. Of the 26 patients, 21 (81%) had lesions of the ocular adnexa. Ulceration of the lesions occurred in 11 patients (42%). The lesions recurred after surgical removal in 11 patients (42%) and on prior incision sites from unrelated operations in three patients (12%). The average duration of follow-up from the appearance of characteristic skin lesions was 10 +/- 6.1 years. Four patients had multiple myeloma, five had a plasma cell dyscrasia, and one had a lymphoproliferative disorder during this period. Time to development of associated malignancy ranged from 8 years before the skin lesions to 11 years after the skin lesions. Overall survival was 100% at 10 years and 90% at 15 years (95% confidence limit, 0.73 to 1.00). Immunoperoxidase stains demonstrated that most histiocytes are not of Langerhans cell lineage. Monoclonal immune globulins were not identified in tissue specimens.

CONCLUSION

Care of patients with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma should include avoidance of surgical removal, if possible, and lifelong follow-up to detect the development of associated malignancy.

Varied clinical spectrum of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma

Four cases are presented that illustrate a wide spectrum of ophthalmologic and systemic features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG). Case 1 initially had signs of Cogan syndrome, and then developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Case 2, the first case of NXG to undergo autopsy, had progressive cicatricial lid retraction and corneal perforation. Case 3 had a more typical presentation of diplopia and blepharoptosis caused by orbital and periorbital infiltrative masses. Case 4 had nondeforming periocular skin lesions over a 6-year period. In all four cases, the diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic histopathologic and laboratory findings. Although the cause of NXG is still obscure, in many cases it appears to be a forerunner of lymphoproliferative diseases.

Orbital xanthogranuloma in adults

The onset of periorbital xanthogranuloma in adults is rare and may be accompanied by haematological abnormalities and malignancy. The appearance of the eyelid lesions is virtually diagnostic, producing readily recognisable diffuse, yellow plaques, and affected patients should be investigated and reviewed regularly for systemic disease. Three cases are described, in which periorbital cutaneous plaques were associated with abnormal tissues in the superior part of the orbit; these abnormal tissues caused displacement or restricted movement of the globe or upper eyelid. The possibility that two cases represent a necrobiotic type of xanthogranuloma is presented. Nine years after the onset of xanthogranuloma one patient developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A multiple-drug regimen of systemic chemotherapy, given for lymphoma, caused a marked clinical reduction in the periorbital xanthogranuloma.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with IgA multiple myeloma: a case report and literature review

The association between necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the dermis and paraproteinemia and/or B-cell malignancy is best described in the ophthalmologic literature. We report a case which occurred in the eyelid and orbit of a 64 year old man that led to the diagnosis of an IgA multiple myeloma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an IgA type paraproteinemia and IgA type multiple myeloma associated with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.

Xanthogranuloma: report on clinical and histologic findings in 64 patients

Although xanthogranulomas are frequently encountered by pediatricians and dermatologists, data on the course of this tumor are restricted to several series with limited follow-up. We report on our experience with 64 patients whom we were able to identify from the surgical files. Our data support the currently held view that xanthogranulomas are generally benign, self-limited lesions. They may persist or continue to erupt for years, however, particularly in individuals who develop the first lesion after age 20 years.

Histopathology of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia

Fifty-three cutaneous biopsies from 22 patients with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) were reviewed. One or more biopsies from each patient displayed a typical pattern of palisading histiocytic xanthogranuloma with bands of hyaline necrobiosis. Multiple foam cells and Touton giant cells were present, and atypical, bizarre-appearing foreign body giant cells were characteristic. Cholesterol clefts were found in 18 specimens, and lymphoid nodules were found in 24, 8 of which had germinal center formation. Twenty-one specimens contained foci of plasma cells, and these were located perivascularly, at the periphery of lymphoid nodules, and, as infiltrates, between dermal collagen bundles. Unique features were xanthogranulomatous panniculitis, often appearing as Touton cell panniculitis, and a rare but distinctive palisading cholesterol cleft granuloma. The cytoplasm of giant cells and histiocytes contained PAS-positive, diastase-resistant polysaccharide. Examination of 3 cases by electron microscopy revealed dendritic cells in the epidermis and vacuolated dermal histiocytes. S-100 antibody was negative in 3 cases. Leukocyte monoclonal antibody studies in 6 patients showed predominantly T-helper lymphocytes within the granuloma. NXG is a T-helper cell, non-X histiocytic granuloma with a distinctive histopathology.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with myeloma. A case report

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is a newly recognized cutaneous manifestation associated with paraproteinemia. Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is distinctive clinically by yellowish-red nodular lesions, often ulcerated, with predilection for the periorbital area and ocular involvement. Histologically, it is characterized by the combination of inflammatory xanthogranulomas together with areas of necrobiosis. These skin lesions are associated with a dysglobulinemia and preceded the development of an IgG lambda myeloma in a previous patient. Hyperlipidemia may be found in some patients. A case of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma is reported, occurring in a 46-year-old man and associated with an IgG kappa myeloma.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia. Case report and a pathogenetic theory

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia is a clinical and histopathological entity characterized by xanthelasma-like lesions in the periorbital region and elsewhere, paraproteinemia, leukopenia, and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Multiple myeloma has been reported as an accompanying feature in several cases. We examined a patient with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma and multiple myeloma in whom an IgG kappa monoclonal protein was identified in serum, urine, bone marrow, and bilateral periorbital lesions. We speculate that increased serum immunoglobulins complexed with lipid may be deposited in the skin, leading to a foreign body giant cell reaction and the subsequent characteristic histopathologic features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.

Myeloma, paraproteinemias, and the skin

This review focuses on those systemic diseases or syndromes associated with monoclonal plasma cell disorders that may present with important cutaneous manifestations. Amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, cutaneous plasmacytoma, xanthomas, benign hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström, and scleromyxedema are emphasized.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma: a systemic disease with paraproteinemia

A woman of 39 presenting with a conjunctival swelling with a necrobiotic xanthogranulomatous histology suffered from a series of destructive cutaneous lesions of similar histology for 20 yr. She had a paraproteinemia and developed myelomatosis. At postmortem xanthogranulomatous lesions were found in skin, larynx, heart and kidneys. The patient also had nodular transformation of the liver with portal hypertension.

Ophthalmic features of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma with paraproteinemia

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the skin is associated with paraproteinemia and, often, with plasma proliferative disorders, including multiple myeloma. Other commonly recognized systemic abnormalities include hepatosplenomegaly, a highly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and leukopenia. Fifteen of 16 patients (seven men and nine women with a mean age of 54 years) with this condition had ophthalmic manifestations. Thirteen patients had lesions affecting the skin of the eyelids and periorbital tissue; on casual examination these lesions resembled plane xanthoma. Unlike plane xanthoma, however, the lesions of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma were almost always indurated. Further, the lesions frequently became inflamed, leading to superficial ulceration. Deeper lesions occasionally involved the orbit. Yellow lesions were sometimes visible in the episcleral tissues where they were associated with recurrent symptoms of scleritis and episcleritis. Biopsy specimens of the skin lesions disclosed a distinctive pattern of subepidermal granulomatous masses with focal aggregates of histiocytes and giant cells surrounded by hyaline necrobiosis. Surgical excision of the eyelid lesions was often followed by recurrence and increased activity of the lesions. Low-dose chemotherapy is likely to produce a favorable response, with regard to both the skin lesions and the paraprotein abnormalities.