Cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis (CHP) is associated with a number of systemic conditions and is characterized by the presence of benign phagocytic histiocytes ("bean bag cells"), including phagocytosed erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. We describe a case of a 72-year-old female who presented with a papular eruption that clinically mimicked pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA). Given that her skin biopsy had multiple features concerning PLEVA, this diagnosis was classified as a superficial pityriasis lichenoides-like variant of CHP. The histopathologic presence of cytophagic histiocytosis prompted workup for a systemic malignancy, leading to a diagnosis of underlying acute monocytic leukemia of myeloid lineage.
Keywords: acute monocytic leukemia; cytophagic histiocytosis.
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