home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
CD-ROM Today (UK) (Spanish) 15
/
CDRT.iso
/
dp
/
0371
/
03714.txt
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-01-17
|
10KB
|
244 lines
$Unique_ID{BRK03714}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Epidermal Nevus Syndrome}
$Subject{Epidermal Nevus Syndrome Linear Sebaceous Nevus Syndrome Linear
Sebaceous Nevus Sequence Nevus Sebaceous of Jadassohn Ichthyosis Hystrix
Gravior Inflammatory Linear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome Lambert Type Ichthyosis
Linear Nevus Sebacous Syndrome Porcupine Man Sebaceous Nevus Syndrome
Birthmarks Sturge-Weber Syndrome Tuberous Sclerosis}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1991, 1992, 1993 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.
862:
Epidermal Nevus Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Epidermal Nevus
Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to
find the alternate name and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Linear Sebaceous Nevus Syndrome
Linear Sebaceous Nevus Sequence
Nevus Sebaceous of Jadassohn
Ichthyosis Hystrix Gravior
Inflammatory Linear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome
Lambert Type Ichthyosis
Linear Nevus Sebacous Syndrome
Porcupine Man
Sebaceous Nevus Syndrome
Information on the following conditions can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Birthmarks
Sturge-Weber Syndrome
Tuberous Sclerosis
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The Information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by distinctive
birth marks (nevus) on the skin. Neurological and skeletal abnormalities may
also occur. This disorder is usually apparent at birth (due to the skin
lesions which are most often seen in the midface from the forehead down into
the nasal area) and is often associated with seizures, mental deficiency, eye
problems, bone malformations and atrophy of the brain. The exact cause of
Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is not known although an autosomal dominant trait of
inheritance seems to occur in approximately two thirds of the cases.
Symptoms
The most visible symptom of Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is the skin lesions
which are usually visible at birth. These lesions tend to form in a line and
have an excess of coloring. Singular or multiple forms of the five major
types of epidermal nevi may emerge. The lesions may be raised wart-like
streaks, polyp-like masses forming in lines, dark velvety spots, scaly
streaks or an orange, hairless, velvety patch covering part of the face,
nose, eyes and scalp.
The underdeveloped glands that lubricate the skin (sebaceous glands) tend
to overgrow, causing the abnormal changes in the outer layer of skin. These
discolored lesions are usually found in the middle of the face from the
forehead down the nose and on the scalp. Less commonly, the lesions may be
found on the trunk and limbs of the body.
When the patient reaches puberty the lesions start to resemble wart like
elevations and there is an increase in the cell growth of the sebaceous
glands sometimes causing the growth of tumors. The growth and severity of
these lesions usually become stable by the end of the teens.
Other symptoms associated with Epidermal Nevus Syndrome may be skeletal
abnormalities such as excessive development of bones, backward or lateral
curvature of the spine, and deformities of the foot and ankle. Mental
retardation, cysts, seizures, and abnormalities of the eyes may also occur.
Causes
The exact cause of Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is not known although
approximately two-thirds of the cases appear to be inherited as an autosomal
dominant trait.
Human traits, including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of
the interaction of two genes, one received from the father and one from the
mother.
In dominant disorders a single copy of the disease gene (received from
either the mother or father) will be expressed "dominating" the other normal
gene and resulting in the appearance of the disease. The risk of
transmitting the disorder from affected parent to offspring is fifty percent
for each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
Affected Population
Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is a very rare disorder affecting males and females
in equal numbers. There have been approximately 450 cases of Epidermal Nevus
Syndrome reported. Hispanics, Orientals, Indians, Blacks and Whites have all
been affected with this syndrome.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Epidermal
Nevus Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
The word "nevus" means birthmark. There are many disorders that include
birthmarks among their symptoms. However, in most cases birthmarks are
normal discolorations of the skin causing no discomfort or illness.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a rare disorder composed of three major
symptoms: Excessive blood vessel growths (leptomeningeal) are accompanied by
accumulations of calcium inside the brain, and seizures. Facial birth marks
(nevus flammeus) appear usually on one side of the face. Harmless tumors
made up mainly of blood vessels (angiomas) can develop inside the eye, often
with secondary glaucoma. (For more information on this disorder choose
"Sturge-Weber Syndrome" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Tuberous Sclerosis is a rare disorder associated with benign tumors of
the brain, skin lesions and occasionally other internal organs may be
involved. It is most often characterized by two neurologic symptoms -
epileptic seizures and varying degrees of mental retardation. This disorder
may occur spontaneously or be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. (For
more information on this disorder choose "Tuberous Sclerosis" as your search
term in the Rare Disease Database).
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Epidermal Nevus Syndrome is symptomatic and supportive. Small
birthmarks on patients may be removed surgically but removal of larger
lesions often does not improve the appearance.
A watery solution of propylene glycol combined with lactic acid may be
topically put on the skin lesions. There may be slight improvement with this
treatment. Retinoic acid solution applied topically may also be used but
this treatment also only shows slight improvement.
Abnormalities of the eyes, bones and other organs may require medical
attention.
Genetic counseling may be of benefit for patients and their families.
Therapies: Investigational
The Congenital Nevocytic Nevus Registry has been established by Dr. Alfred
W. Kopf as a long-term study of such lesions. This study will provide
information on the natural history of congenital nevi, including the
incidence of malignant melanoma. For information on entry into the registry,
please contact:
Alfred W. Kopf, MD, Dept. of Dermatology
562 First Ave.
New York, NY 10016
(212) 340-5260
The orphan product Monolaurin (Glylorin) is being tested for the
treatment of Epidermal Nevus Syndrome. The product is manufactured by:
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
371 Bel Marin Keys, Suite 210
Novato, CA 94949
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
May 1993. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Epidermal Nevus Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
203-746-6518
Giant Congenital Pigmented Nevus Support Group
12 Twixt Hill Rd.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 438-3863
Nevus Network
1400 S. Joyce St., #C1201
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 920-2349
(405) 377-3403
Nevus Support Group
58 Necton Rd.
Wheathampstead, Herts
AL4 8AU England
Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types, Inc. (F.I.R.S.T.)
P.O. Box 20921
Raleigh, NC 27619-0921
(919) 782-5728
(800) 545-3286
The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
Box AMS
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 495-4484
For Genetic Information and Genetic Counseling Referrals:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
914-428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 9th Ed.: Victor A. McKusick, Editor: Johns
Hopkins University Press, 1990. Pp. 662.
SMITH'S RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS OF HUMAN MALFORMATION, 4th Ed.: Kenneth L.
Jones, M.D., Editor; W.B. Saunders Co., 1988. Pp. 446.
BIRTH DEFECTS ENCYCLOPEDIA, Mary Louise Buyse, M.D., Editor-In-Chief;
Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1990. Pp. 1251-52.
THE EPIDERMAL NEVUS SYNDROME: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW: L.H. Goldberg, et
al., Pediatr Dermatol (May, 1987, issue 4(1)). Pp. 27-33.
EPIDERMAL NEVUS SYNDROME: A.S. Paller, Neuro Clin (August, 1987, issue
5(3)). Pp. 451-7.