Porfiria cutánea tarda que simula esclerosis sistémica progresiva / Porphyria cutanea tarda mimicking progressive systemic sclerosis

Resumen Los síndromes esclerodermiformes suelen imitar muy bien una esclerosis sistémica progresiva, y es la presencia de ampollas cutáneas en áreas fotoexpuestas con hiperpigmentación los datos diferenciales para diagnosticar una porfiria. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 48 años con fotosensibilidad, fragilidad capilar, ampollas cutáneas e hiperpigmentación asociado a esclerodactilia, con pérdida cicatrizal distal de tejido en los dedos de las manos, que simuló a la perfección una esclerosis sistémica progresiva. La analítica mostró negatividad para anticuerpos antinucleares, antitopoisomerasa y anticentrómero, con valores altos de uroporfirinas en orina. El tratamiento con flebotomías e hidroxicloquina mejoró la fotosensibilidad y la fragilidad cutánea.

Abstract Sclerodermiform syndromes usually mimic progressive systemic sclerosis very well, with the presence of skin blisters in photo-exposed areas with hyperpigmentation being the differential data for diagnosing porphyria. We present the case of a 48-year old man with photosensitivity, capillary fragility, skin blisters, and hyperpigmentation associated with sclerodactyly with distal scar tissue loss on the fingers, which perfectly simulated progressive systemic sclerosis. The analysis showed negativity for antinuclear, antitopoisomerase and anticentromere antibodies, with high levels of uroporphyrins in urine. Phlebotomy and hydroxycloquine treatment improved photosensitivity and skin fragility.

Liver Cirrhosis Induced by Porphyria Cutanea Tarda: A Case Report and Review

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a metabolic disorder that results in a decrease in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity. It is characterized by photosensitivity, bullae formation, and skin pigmentation. There are four types of PCT: acquired, familial, toxic, and hepatoerythropoietic. Uroporphyrin levels are elevated in the urine of PCT patients. PCT can be differentiated from other porphyrias by its clinical characteristics and the porphyrin levels in the serum, erythrocytes, urine, and feces. This metabolic disorder can lead to liver dysfunction as well as histological changes such as fatty infiltration or hepatic fibrosis. PCT rarely manifests as liver cirrhosis. We report herein a case of PCT-induced liver cirrhosis that progressed to hepatic failure.