Lichen myxoedematosus with associated cardiac abnormalities

Consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of sclerosing diseases of the skin, Part 2: Scleromyxoedema and scleroedema

The term 'sclerosing diseases of the skin' comprises specific dermatological entities, which have fibrotic changes of the skin in common. These diseases mostly manifest in different clinical subtypes according to cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement and can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from each other. The present consensus provides an update to the 2017 European Dermatology Forum Guidelines, focusing on characteristic clinical and histopathological features, diagnostic scores and the serum autoantibodies most useful for differential diagnosis. In addition, updated strategies for the first- and advanced-line therapy of sclerosing skin diseases are addressed in detail. Part 2 of this consensus provides clinicians with an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of scleromyxoedema and scleroedema (of Buschke).

Scleromyxedema

Scleromyxedema is a rare, cutaneous deposition disorder from the group of mucinoses, which can affect multiple organs and is virtually always associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. Cutaneous manifestations are usually generalized, 2 to 3 mm sized, dome-shaped or flat-topped, waxy, slightly red to skin-colored papules and sclerodermoid indurations. Neurological, rheumatological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory tract, renal and ophthalmologic manifestations can occur, with decreasing frequency. A serious and potentially lethal complication is the dermato-neuro syndrome which manifests with flu-like prodromes followed by fever, convulsions and coma. Untreated, scleromyxedema usually takes an unpredictable and potentially lethal progressive disease course over several years. According to a widely acknowledged classification by Rongioletti a diagnosis of scleromyxedema can be rendered when (1) generalized, papular and sclerodermoid eruption, (2) a histological triad of mucin deposition, fibroblast proliferation and fibrosis, and (3) monoclonal gammopathy are present, and (4) thyroid disease is absent. Apart from the classic microscopic triad, an interstitial granuloma annulare like pattern was also described. The pathogenesis of scleromyxedema is unknown. A potential role for various, as yet unknown serum factors has been discussed. An unequivocal causal relationship between paraproteinemia and disease manifestations could not be established to date. High dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) are the first-line treatment of choice according to the most recent European guidelines.

Severe but reversible pulmonary hypertension in scleromyxedema and multiple myeloma: a case report

BACKGROUND

Scleromyxedema is a progressive, systemic connective tissue disorder characterized by fibro-mucous skin lesions and increased serum monoclonal immunoglobulin levels. Pulmonary involvement occurs in a subset of patients, though the overall prevalence of pulmonary lesions in scleromyxedema is unknown. Since pulmonary hypertension presumably occurs in these patients due to disease progression and development of additional conditions, treatment of the underlying plasma cell dyscrasia and connective tissue disorder may improve pulmonary hypertension symptoms.

CASE PRESENTATION

An elderly patient with scleromyxedema developed pulmonary hypertension refractory to vasodilator and diuretic therapy and subsequently multiple myeloma that responded to a combination therapy of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of the underlying disease(s) that contributed to pulmonary hypertension development with anti-neoplastic agents like bortezomib may improve cardiopulmonary symptoms secondary to reducing abnormal blood cell counts and paraprotein levels.

Case for diagnosis. Lichen myxedematosus

Scleromyxedema or lichen myxedematosus is a rare papular mucinosis of chronic and progressive course and unknown etiology. It is commonly associated with monoclonal gammopathy and may show extracutaneous manifestations, affecting the heart, lung, kidney, and nerves. The diagnosis is based on four criteria: generalized papular and sclerodermoid lesions; mucin deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and fibrosis in the histopathology; monoclonal gammopathy; and no thyroid disorders. This article reports the case of a scleromyxedema patient with a recent history of acute myocardial infarction and monoclonal gammopathy.

Scleromyxedema

Scleromyxedema is a rare cutaneous mucinous disease characterized by a generalized papular sclerodermoid eruption and systemic manifestations that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Although its etiology remains unknown, most theories focus on a pathogenic role by paraproteins; it must be noted, however, that nonparaprotein factors have been suggested to cause fibroblast proliferation and increased mucin production. Several treatment modalities including melphalan, cyclophosphamide, interferon alfa, and plasmapheresis have been suggested; however, further research is needed to prove treatment efficacy.

Escleromixedema associado a miocardiopatia

Relato de um caso de escleromixedema com lesões cutâneas associadas a miopatia, disfunção esofageana e paraproteinemia. Durante a evolução, a paciente apresentou sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva (ICC) que foram relacionados à miocardiopatia, passível de ocorrer em até 10% dos portadores de escleromixedema. São discutidos os aspectos clínicos, etiológicos e terapêuticos.

Immunohistochemical investigations and introduction of new therapeutic strategies in scleromyxoedema: case report

Background

Scleromyxoedema is a rare chronic skin disease of obscure origin, which may often be associated with severe internal co-morbidity. Even though different casuistic treatment modalities have been described, to date, curing still seems to be impossible.

Case presentation

We report a 44-year-old Caucasian female presenting with remarkable circumscribed, erythematous to skin-coloured, indurated skin eruptions at the forehead, arms, shoulders, legs and the gluteal region. Routine histology and Alcian blue labelling confirmed a massive deposition of acid mucopolysaccharides. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed proliferating fibroblasts and a discrete lymphocytic infiltration as well as increased dermal expression of MIB-1⁺ and anti-mastcell-tryptase⁺ cells. Bone marrow biopsies confirmed a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance without morphological characteristics of plasmocytoma; immunofixation unveiled the presence of IgG-kappa paraproteins.

Conclusions

Taking all data into account, our patient exhibited a complex form of lichen mxyoedematosus, which could most likely be linked a variant of scleromyxoedema. Experimental treatment with methotrexate resulted in a stabilisation of clinical symptoms but no improvement after five months of therapy. A subsequent therapeutic attempt by the use of medium-dose ultraviolet A1 cold-light photomonotherapy led to a further stabilisation of clinical symptoms, but could not induce a sustained amelioration of skin condition.