Scleredema-brief Review of Literature and Case Reports

Abstract

The cases posed no diagnostic problem. The signs, symptoms and the progression of the disease were consistent with the diagnosis of scleredema. The first case occurred during the convalescence after delivery. In the second case the history was typical and illness started with throat infection. The lesions of scleredema spread gradually to the distant parts but remained limited to arms and thighs in the upper and the lower extremities respectively. The progress was gradual and the whole process was completed in 18 days with the development of dyspnoea which forced him to attend the hospital. The extent of involvement was variable in both the cases. In the former it was more or less localised only to the shoulders and hips but face and neck were free, while in the second case nearly the whole body was involved except the distal parts of upper and lower extremities. The skin colour changes were also variable. The skin was of normal colour in the first while it was erythematous in the second case which led to the false diagnosis of angioneurotic edema. Biopsy in both the cases was confirmatory. The biochemical examination of blood and urine for creatinine were also normal. So far the treatment was concerned, the first case was alright within two months, while the other did not improve with dexamethasone for five days till it was combined with tetracycline.