Granuloma

An organized cluster of immune cells that forms when the body attempts to isolate and contain substances or pathogens that cannot be easily eliminated. It is a chronic inflammatory reaction to persistent antigens and the inflammatory structure is typically composed of epithelioid macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes.

Causes

• Infectious causes

  • Tuberculosis

  • Histoplasmosis

  • Blastomycosis

  • Schistosomiasis

  • Cat scratch disease

  • Syphilis

  • Leprosy

• Foreign body reactions

  • Splinters

  • Retained surgical sutures

  • Tattoo ink

  • Cosmetic fillers

• Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Crohn's disease

  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis

• Genetic disorders: Chronic granulomatous disease