Beryllium Granulomas of the Skin

IN A RECENT paper, Grier, Nash and Freiman1have reviewed the literature relating to the effects which beryllium may have on the skin and subcutaneous tissues. They recognized four distinct types of cutaneous reaction to beryllium. Contact dermatitis occurs in persons working with soluble salts of beryllium, particularly beryllium fluoride or beryllium sulfate.2Ulcers result when crystals of soluble beryllium salts become embedded in the tissues; these heal only after the crystals have been removed surgically or have been extruded spontaneously.2In some patients suffering from chronic pulmonary berylliosis, granulomas of the skin occur, and these are similar to the granulomas which develop in the lungs.3Grier and his co-workers have observed a fourth variety of cutaneous reaction to beryllium which they term "subcutaneous granuloma occurring in persons who cut themselves on fluorescent lamps."