Elephantiasis nostras

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Elephantiasis nostras
The other image of the rare disease elphantasis nostras v errucosa.jpg
Specialty Dermatology

Elephantiasis nostras, also known as "Holliman's Edema," is a disease that usually affects the lower legs or scrotum. [1] Swelling is accompanied by rough nodules or wart-like plaques on the skin. If the disease is not treated, it eventually results in pain and immobility. [2]

Contents

The disease can be described as a cutaneous condition, a final hypertrophic fibrosis following long standing chronic lymphangitis. [3] : 261 

Causes

Although elephantiasis nostras resembles the elephantiasis caused by helminths, it is not a filarial disease. Instead, it is a complication of chronic lymphedema. [1] Both elephantiasis nostras and filarial elephantiasis are characterized by impaired lymphatic drainage, which results in excess fluid accumulation. [2]

Treatment

Treatment consists of antibiotics, elevation of the affected limb, and compression. For persons with elephantiasis nostras who are overweight or obese, weight loss is recommended. [2] Oral retinoids have been used to treat the cutaneous manifestations of the disease. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lin P, Phillips T. "Vascular Disorders: Ulcers" (2003). In Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP (Eds.), Dermatology, p. 1637. Mosby ISBN   0-323-02409-2
  2. 1 2 3 Scheinfeld NS. (2009). "Skin Disorders in Older Adults: Vascular, Lymphatic, and Purpuric Dermatitides, Part 2 Archived 2012-09-24 at the Wayback Machine ". Consultant 49 (7)
  3. ↑ James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN   978-0-7216-2921-6.
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