ASTEROID BODIES AND OTHER CYTOPLASMIC INCLUSIONS IN NECROBIOTIC XANTHOGRANULOMA WITH PARAPROTEINEMIA

Background: Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) with paraproteinemia is a distinctive palisading granuloma of the skin. Extracutaneous lesions are rarely present. Objective: The purpose of this study was to confi rm the presence and significance of giant cell asteroid bodies and oth er cytoplasmic inclusions in NXG with paraproteinemia. Methods: Skin b iopsy specimens from 24 patients with NXG with paraproteinemia were re viewed; autopsy and lung biopsy specimens from two patients were-stain ed for iron, calcium, and polysaccharide. Results: Giant cell asteroid bodies were observed in skin biopsy specimens of 8 (33%) of the 24 pa tients. In addition, large acidophilic polygonal cytoplasmic inclusion s were observed in myocardial tissue of one of the autopsy cases. Iron and calcium were not found. Conclusion: Asteroid bodies and other inc lusions can be present;in the giant cells of NXG with paraproteinemia. They are as frequent as, or more frequent than, in other granulomatou s diseases and should be considered in the diagnosis of NXG with parap roteinemia.