Palmoplantar keratoderma, pseudo-ainhum, and universal atrichia: A new patient and review of the palmoplantar keratoderma-congenital alopecia syndrome

Am J Med Genet A. 2010 Aug;152A(8):2043-7. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33490.

Abstract

Palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) may concur with congenital alopecia (CA) in various genodermatoses. We report on a 10-year-old girl with generalized atrichia and a severe form of PPK causing pseudo-ainhum, sclerodactyly, and contractures, a phenotype not consistent with any well-defined condition. Non-specific additional findings comprised mild nail dystrophy and widespread keratosis pilaris including ulerythema ophryogenes. Direct sequencing of the GJB2 and LOR coding regions yielded normal results. A review identified two additional sporadic and four familial cases with PPK and CA. Comparison between familial cases suggested the existence of two genetically and phenotypically distinct types of PPK-CA: (i) an autosomal dominant form (Stevanović type), a variable and benign phenotype without significant hand complications, and (ii) a more complex autosomal recessive variant (Wallis type) with contractures, sclerodactyly, and pseudo-ainhum. Nuclear cataract may represent an additional although not constant finding in the Wallis type PPK-CA. Further reports are required to test this preliminary conclusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ainhum / genetics*
  • Ainhum / pathology
  • Alopecia / genetics*
  • Alopecia / pathology
  • Connexin 26
  • Connexins
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / genetics*
  • Keratoderma, Palmoplantar / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Connexins
  • GJB2 protein, human
  • Connexin 26