The granuloma annulare is a common benign disorder in childhood which may be difficult to recognize in its atypical forms, like deep granuloma annulare.
Case 1: A 5-year-old girl suffered from subcutaneous nodules occurring on her soles. Open biopsy at the age of 6 years showed typical features of granuloma annulare. These nodules were still present one year later. Case 2: A 2-year-old girl suffered from nodular lesions on the anterior aspect of the lower legs similar to erythema nodosum with spontaneous outbreaks over 6 months. Histological examination showed typical features of granuloma annulare.
Diagnosis of the deep granuloma annulare is often difficult. Its relation with rheumatic nodules which have similar histological patterns is discussed.