Acitretin may improve symptoms and exudation in patients affected by elephantiasis nostras verrucosa: Report of a case

Shaving Technique and Compression Therapy for Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa (Lymphostatic Verrucosis) of Forefeet and Toes in End-Stage Primary Lymphedema: A 5 Year Follow-Up Study in 28 Patients and a Review of the Literature

Background. Longstanding lymphedema can lead, especially when there is recurrence of erysipelas, to irreversible elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV). This predisposes to new episodes of erysipelas, leading to further damage of the lymphatics and deterioration of the lymphedema as a whole. We report the results of 28 patients with primary lymphedema and surgical removal ENV of the forefoot and toes treated between 2006 and 2014. Method: Retrospective descriptive 5 year follow-up study of 28 patients with various diagnosis of primary lymphedema. Wound healing time, number of erysipelas, body mass index (BMI), recurrence of EVN and types of compression were documented during follow-up. Results: After preoperative multidisciplinary work up, operation of the toes with shaving and excision was performed within a conservative treatment program. During the follow up, the number of erysipelas attacks decreased dramatically (mean 17.6 vs. 0.6). Before treatment, no toecaps were used; and in follow up, it was a part of treatment. Recurrence of ENV was not observed. Compared to the literature with often BMI > 35, the mean BMI in our group was 30.0 (overweight). In 12 patients, we concurrently performed circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy for end-stage lymphedema of the leg. Conclusion: Although lymphedema patients are treated with garments during the maintenance phase, compression of the toes is often too challenging. Surgical removal of the verrucosis of toes is an effective therapeutic modality as part of an integrated lymphedema treatment program to restore the shape of the toes and enable the wearing of toecaps. This technique can also be effective for ENV of origins other than primary lymphedema. Although ENV is a generally accepted term, it can have undesirable connotations. We suggest using a more inclusive name such as lymphostatic verrucosis, because long-lasting lymphatic impairment is involved in all ENV and the term verrucosis is above discussion.

Treatment of Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa with CO2 Laser

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is the most severe form of chronic non-filarial lymphedema that leads to disfiguration of body parts. Multiple topical and surgical treatments have been typically used with high relapse rates and local complications. In this context, CO2 laser emerges as a new well-tolerated and effective treatment option. We report two cases of long-term evolution of elephantiasis nostras verrucosa recalcitrant to topical therapy and successfully treated with CO2 laser. Both of them were septuagenarians with personal history of obesity and suffered from lower extremities edema due to heart failure in one case, and due to chronic venous insufficiency in the other. We describe the procedure, the results and the advisable maintenance for preventing recurrence in this difficult to treat and chronic condition.

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa in the setting of lymphoedema tarda and neurofibromatosis type 1

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) comprises an uncommon skin disease characterised by dermal fibrosis with hyperkeratotic, verrucous and papillomatous lesions that usually occur after chronic lymphoedema. We describe the case of a 56-year-old-man with neurofibromatosis type 1, no known surgical history, no chronic medication and no travel history, presenting with worsening non-pitting oedema and impressive foul-smelling mossy plaques and cobblestone-like nodules in both legs and feet, especially on the right, compatible with the diagnosis of ENV.