Phototherapy With UV-A-I for Generalized Granuloma Annulare

Abstract

Recently, long-wave UV-A radiation (340-400 nm) has been used to effectively treat patients with atopic dermatitis, 1 localized scleroderma, 2 and urticaria pigmentosa. 3 We describe 4 patients with generalized granuloma annulare (GA) who responded to phototherapy with UV-A—I. Granuloma annulare is a benign, chronic, granulomatous skin disease of unknown origin. It is characterized by papular or granulomatous cutaneous lesions, usually distributed in an annular configuration. 4 The skin lesions appear isolated or multiple as generalized GA on the trunk, face, arms, and legs. 4 Although spontaneous resolution can occur in some cases, many different therapeutic modalities have been tried, including the use of topical or systemic corticosteroids, oral psoralen plus UV-A photochemotherapy, systemic retinoids, and dapsone, usually with poor results, particularly in generalized GA. 4 In this study, 4 patients with histologically confirmed generalized GA participated after providing informed consent. All individuals had been treated for months with different