Arms and Legs Nodule

Nodules on the arms and legs

The common benign nodules on the arms and legs are epidermoid cysts,lipomas and benign neurofibromas, big dermal nevi, dermatofibromas and if itchy prurigo nodularis.

The common malignant tumours are basal and squamous cell skin cancers,melanomas etc.See the list of Neoplastic lesions below.With most Nodular lesions you need a biopsy to sort out the malignancies from the infective and granulomatous causes.Remember to take some tissue for culture as well.The pathologist then earns his money doing a lot of special stains etc.

Nodules on the lower legs  are a particular subgroup.A tender deep nodule is usually erythema nodosum or one of the other forms of panniculitis.A biopsy is necessary to sort out the diagnosis but it must be a deep incisional biopsy that reaches down into the fat tissue where the pathology actually exists.

Nodules on the Elbows and Knees   Rheumatoid nodule,Gouty tophus,Tuberous Xanthoma,Granuloma annulare,

SIGN DIP MEN    Nodules Overview

 

S-Squamous   Many of the infective nodules below will have a rough surface 

 

I-Infective          Deep fungal infections particularly Chromoblastomycosis and Sporotrichosis,Tuberculosis,Atypical mycobacterial ,Leishmaniasis,Syphilis,Leprosy,Orf,Milker’s nodules,

 

G-Granulomatous    Sarcoidosis,Granuloma annulare,Foreign body,Erythema elevatum diutinum,Rheumatoid nodule,Granuloma faciale,Panniculitis,

 

N-Neoplastic    Benign Tumours such as sebaceous cysts,dermatofibroma,lipoma .More aggresive tumours such as  Basal cell carcinoma,Squamous cell carcinoma,Keratoacanthoma,Metastases,Merkel cell,Melanoma,Atypical fibroxanthoma,Mycosis fungoides,B cell lymphoma,Lymphocytoma,Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia,Angiosarcoma,Lymphangiosarcoma,Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans,Cylindroma

 

D-Drugs    Iodides,Bromides,Phenytoin,Dapsone

 

I-Immunological   Erythema nodosum ,Sweet’s syndrome,Kimuras disease

 

P-Physical    Prurigo nodularis, Pyogenic granuloma,Digital myxoid cyst,Chilblains(Perniosis)

 

M-Metabolic   Xanthomas, Gouty tophi,Tumoral calcinosis,Mucinoses

 

E-Endocrine    Pretibial myxedema,

 

N-Nutritional

 

Others     Painful nodules   Multiple familial leiomyomas,Spiradenoma,Glomus tumour,Angiolipoma,Blue rubber bleb nevus ,Neuroma,Neurilemmoma,Keloid,Granular cell tumour,Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Bleeding into a dermatofibroma