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Background: Granuloma annulare is a common skin condition usually presenting as annular plaques composed of intradermal papules. Variants such as disseminated, subcutaneous, and perforating have been described. In this article, the clinical and histologic features of a distinct papular umbilicated form of granuloma annulare are described., Observations: Four boys aged 5 to 9 years presented with papular, umbilicated, flesh-colored papules limited to the dorsa of the hands and fingers. Histologically there were unusually distributed but typical features of granuloma annulare, including well-demarcated areas of necrobiosis of collagen, localized beneath areas of epidermal thinning and parakeratosis. There was no perforation., Conclusions: Papular umbilicated granuloma annulare appears to be a distinct variant that may be difficult to diagnose because of its unique clinical and histologic features.

Growing awareness of Lyme disease, caused by the tickborne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi has led to a marked increase in laboratory procedures to help in its diagnosis. Despite the frequent ordering of serologic tests specific for Lyme disease, there remains confusion in the accurate interpretation of these tests. Because of the important cutaneous manifestations of B burgdorferi infection, dermatologists should understand the role of the laboratory in Borrelia-related conditions. This article reviews laboratory techniques available for the diagnosis of Lyme disease. The role of histologic findings and culture, the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of commonly used serologic tests, the effects of disease duration and treatment on serologic results, and the future of laboratory diagnosis are described.

We describe a child with congenital aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp and an occult giant posterior fossa arteriovenous fistula. Previous case reports of central nervous system malformations associated with aplasia cutis congenita are reviewed. The exact incidence of such malformations is unknown. All patients with aplasia cutis congenita should undergo a neurologic evaluation, and their families should be examined for similar lesions. Early central nervous system imaging and other workup may be required, especially if plastic surgery in the head region is being planned.

Eruptive syringoma is a rare variant of syringoma that appears on anterior surfaces of the body, including the neck, chest, and arms. Textbooks state that this eccrine-derived tumor arises at puberty. We describe four cases of eruptive syringoma that began in childhood. We review the literature on this entity and suggest that the disorder typically presents between the ages of 4 and 10 years. Eruptive syringoma is a benign tumor that should be considered among the papular dermatoses of childhood.

Five children, aged 3 to 11 years, developed a distinctive perioral, perinasal, and periorbital rash, consisting of tiny, closely spaced, flesh-colored "micronodules." Histopathologic examination in all five cases revealed upper dermal and perifollicular granulomas admixed with lymphocytes. There were no associated systemic abnormalities. The lesions resolved after months to years, leaving no scars. We propose that this condition is a form of perioral dermatitis with granulomatous histologic features, which can be distinguished from sarcoidosis and other facial eruptions in childhood both on clinical and histologic grounds.