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Scleroedema

Author: Dr Julie Smith MBChB, Dept of Dermatology, Grenlane Hospital, Auckland. Updated by A/Prof Amanda Oakley, February 2016.


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What is scleroedema?

Scleroedema (American spelling scleredema) is a type of cutaneous mucinosis of unknown cause.

Scleroedema should not be confused with ‘scleroderma’, in which the skin is fibrotic (morphoea and systemic sclerosis).

Who gets scleroedema?

Scleroedema affects adults. In many cases, people with scleroedema have an underlying systemic disease. These include:

What is the cause of scleroedema?

This is unknown.

What are the clinical features of scleroedema?

Scleroedema presents with symmetrical hardening and thickening of the skin. The affected areas are firm and woody plaques, sometimes slightly red or brown and often with a ‘peau d'orange’ (orange-skin) appearance. The face may appear expressionless and there can be difficulty opening the mouth.

There are three types of scleroedema. All three types of scleroedema can restrict movement, but otherwise seldom have serious consequences. Occasionally swallowing and speech can be affected and other organs involved – eyes, tongue, parotid gland, muscles, joints and heart.

Type 1 scleroedema

Type one is the acute type of scleroedema, and typically starts with an infection, most often Streptococcus pyogenes, the cause of tonsillitis. It mainly affects middle aged women and children. Hardening of the skin of the face and neck quickly develops and spreads to the upper trunk and arms. It usually improves spontaneously over six months to two years.

Type 2 scleroedema

Type 2 scleroedema is not associated with infection. It starts more slowly and persists. Abnormal levels of an abnormal paraprotein (immunoglobulin) in the blood may occur, sometimes due to multiple myeloma.

Type 3 scleroedema

Type 3, scleroedema adultorum of Buschke, also called scleroedema diabeticorum, occurs in diabetics, particularly adult men. It is very persistent. The skin of the neck and upper back slowly thickens over months or years.

Scleroedema*

*Images provided by Dr Eugene Tan, Melbourne, Australia.

How is scleroedema diagnosed?

The diagnosis is confirmed by skin biopsy, which shows mucin deposits between collagen bundles in the dermis.

What is the treatment for scleroedema?

The best way to treat scleroedema is unknown, because of its rarity. Some benefit has been reported with the following:

 

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