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Granuloma annulare has not always responded satisfactorily to chemotherapeutic agents. Having noted as have others, that when pieces of tissue are excised for biopsy, the entire lesion, and others present, often will disappear, I considered it advisable to incise lesions (if scarring could be avoided) to note whether they would regress.
Two patients with granuloma annulare have now been treated in this way. Each lesion was wiped with alcohol and sprayed with ethyl chloride until snow appeared, and from four to six incisions were made through each lesion with a Bard-Parker pointed blade; these incisions were not permitted to cross (Fig.). Even though one must cut deep enough to draw blood, healing is by first intention and without perceptible scarring. This procedure may be advisable when chemotherapy and x-rays fail, until a better treatment is found.
Of these two patients, A was a 15-year-old white girl, presenting one ringed lesion