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An episodic eruption

Q1: What is the name given to this rash (SEE p 249), and how is the appearance described?
The rash is erythema gyratum repens. The specific features of this figurate rash are concentric erythematous arcs and rings, as well as serpiginous bands and stripes in alignment. The whorly pattern was initially described in 1953 by Gammel as "knotty cypress wood grain".¹ The rash spreads over the skin at a rate of about 1 cm a day, and may leave a similarly patterned scale in its wake. It is not raised, and is associated with pruritus (50%) and eosinophilia.

Q2: What underlying diseases does it suggest?
The rash is most commonly associated with internal malignancy. In one literature review of 49 cases the most common accompanying neoplasms were bronchial (32%), or were found in the oesophagus (8%) or breast (6%), or were unidentified metastatic malignancies (6%); less common were tumours of the pharynx, stomach, bowel and pancreas, as well as of the genitourinary tract.² Lymphoreticular neoplasms were under-represented. In addition, the rash has been found in . . . [Full text of this article]

Relevant Article

An episodic eruption

P Bentley and A Keat
Postgrad. Med. J. 2002 78: 249. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]