Ann Dermatol.  2011 Aug;23(3):362-364. 10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.362.

A Case of Assisted Reproductive Therapy-induced Erythema Nodosum

• Jeon HC
• Choi M
• Paik SH
• Na SJ
• Lee JH
• Cho S

• KMID: 2171930
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.362

Abstract

Erythema nodosum is a common variant of panniculitis. It is characterized by tender erythematous nodule and plaque on the anterior aspect of the leg. The etiology is not fully understood. It may be associated with a variety of disorders, including infection, medication, autoimmune disorders, pregnancy, and malignancy. A 33-year-old Korean woman presented with 1 week history of painful erythematous plaques on both knees. She was 7 weeks pregnant with assisted reproductive therapy, and had been maintained on daily intramuscular progesterone injection for 4 weeks. Histological examination of the lesions revealed septal panniculitis without vasculitis. Two days after discontinuing progesterone injection, the symptoms and lesions started to resolve. Herein we present a case of erythema nodosum caused by progesterone injection for endometrial preparation.

Keyword

Assisted reproductive techniques; Erythema nodosum

MeSH Terms

Adult
Erythema
Erythema Nodosum
Female
Humans
Knee
Leg
Panniculitis
Pregnancy
Progesterone
Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
Vasculitis
Progesterone

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Symmetric, tender, erythematous plaques on the anterior aspects of both knees. (B) Two days after discontinuing intramuscular progesterone injection, the color of the lesions became darker and then started to resolve.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Scanning power view showing thickened and edematous septa of the subcutaneous tissue with inflammatory infiltrate, and the infiltrate extends to the periphery of the adjacent fat lobules (Lt. knee, H&E, ×40), (B) Higher magnification shows aggregations of small histiocytes (Lt. knee, H&E, ×400).

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