Scleredema: Clinicopathological Study / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Scleredema is a rare connective disorder with unknown etiology. There were no comprehensive studies about the clinical and histopathological features of scleredema in Korea. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to find the clinical and pathological features of scleredema. METHODS: The 31 patients with scleredema at our institution over ten years were retrieved. We reviewed medical records, clinical photographs, and histopathology slides of these patients, retrospectively. RESULTS: 1. The male to female ratio was 238 (2.91). 2. Most of the patients had the insidious onset and chronic localized lesion on the nape and upper back. 3. In sixteen patients (16/31, 51.6%), the diabetes mellitus was accompanied. In these patients, the male predominance (14/16, 87.5%) was significant. 4. The positive staining was in 75%(15/20) of the tissues with alcian blue or mucicarmine staining. 5. In four patients, localized electron beam therapy markedly improved the skin lesion without serious adverse effects. CONCLUSION: A preceding respiratory infection was uncommon. Almost all patients had insidious onset and chronic course. Diabetes mellitus was commonly accompanied, especially in male patients. Electron beam therapy appears to be effective in the treatment of scleredema.