Actinic granuloma

Reported for the first time as a “case for diagnosis” by Georgouras, the clinicopathological features of actinic granuloma were specifically described for the first time by O’Brien in 1975. The first French reports were made by Moulin et al. in 1982 [3]. This chronic skin disease is characterized by annular circinate lesions that develop on areas of the skin presenting with actinic elastidosis. The place of actinic granuloma within the granuloma annulare group remains controversial [6] but recent work, however, seems to indicate that this dermatosis is a distinct entity [1]. The distinction of the entity is nevertheless based on topographical and anatomical pathological criteria that cannot be considered completely specific [2]. However, recent work on the role of actinic aggression in the triggering of the granulomatous reaction and the stereotypical nature of clinicopathological observations argue for the individualization of the condition.