++
A young woman presented to the office with several days of overall malaise, fever, and sore throat. At the time of presentation she noted some painful bumps on her lower legs, and denied trauma (Figure 186-1). No history of recent cough or change in bowel habits has been reported. The patient had no chronic medical problems, took no medications, and had no known drug allergies. Her temperature was slightly elevated, but other vitals were normal. On examination, her oropharynx revealed tonsillar erythema and exudates. Bilateral lower extremities were spotted with slightly raised, tender, erythematous nodules that varied in size from 2 to 6 cm. Rapid strep test was positive, and she was diagnosed clinically with erythema nodosum (EN) secondary to group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus. She was treated with penicillin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and was advised temporary bed rest. She experienced complete resolution of the EN within 4 weeks.
++
++
EN is a common inflammatory panniculitis characterized by ill-defined, erythematous patches with underlying tender, subcutaneous nodules. It is a reactive process caused by chronic inflammatory states, infections, medications, malignancies, and unknown factors.
++
Löfgren syndrome (with hilar adenopathy).
++
Erythema nodosum occurs in approximately 1 to 5 per 100,000 persons.1 It is the most frequent type of septal panniculitis (inflammation of the septa of fat lobules in the subcutaneous tissue).2
EN tends to occur more often in women, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:4.5 in the adult population, generally during the second and fourth decades of life (Figures 186-1, 186-2, 186-3).3
In 1 study, an overall incidence of 54 million people worldwide was cited in patients older than 14 years of age.4
In the childhood form, the female predilection is not seen.
++++
+++
ETIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
++