Retinoids in the Treatment of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis

To the Editor.—  It is our experience that prednisolone with or without methotrexate or chloroquine remains the most effective therapy available for the distressing and unsightly features of cutaneous sarcoidosis.¹ Waldinger et al² in 1983 reported the successful use of isotretinoin in a patient with relapsing cutaneous sarcoidosis yet could not exclude the possibility of spontaneous remission. Since then, there have been no further reports of the use of retinoids in sarcoidosis, to our knowledge. We herein report such a case.

Report of a Case.—  A 33-year-old woman weighing 82 kg was admitted, with a five-year history of chronic sarcoidosis with hilar lymphadenopathy and reticulonodular shadowing, peripheral bone cysts, upper respiratory tract involvement, and recurrent cutaneous lesions. During acute exacerbations, she was always treated with courses of systemic steroids, with complete recovery within four weeks. Unfortunately, relapse invariably occurred within two weeks after treatment was stopped. On this