Aplasia Cutis Congenita in association with Hemangioma

presented by

Omid Zargari MD, Rasht, Iran

on June 13, 2005

Dermatologist, Booali Medical Group, Rasht, Iran
 
Abstract A two-month-old girl was referred for treatment of widespread hemangiomas. Physical examination revealed multiple hemangiomas on the face and head. Furthermore in the mid chest there was a large atrophic scar close to another hemangioma. This is a very rare case of aplasia cutis congenita in association with hemangioma.
Patient
P.GH., 2-month-old girl
Duration
since birth
Distribution
Scalp, Face and Mid-chest
History

A two-month-old girl was referred for treatment of widespread hemangiomas. She was product of the first pregnancy of a mother with a dichorionic twin pregnancy that had been complicated by maternal hyperthyroidism. The pregnant mother was prescribed propylthiouracil for her hyperthyroid state but she consumed propantheline due to a mistake by pharmacy.
The girl was born by caesarean section at 36th week of pregnancy with birth weight of 2100 g. The other twin who was a boy had no problem and was healthy. There was no consanguinity in the parents. There was no history for invasive prenatal procedures such as amniocentesis or sampling of chorionic villi during the pre- and perinatal periods.

Physical Examination

Physical examination revealed multiple hemangiomas on the face and head (Fig.1). Furthermore in the mid chest there was a large atrophic scar close to another hemangioma (Fig.2). According to the mother, it was a large defect at the time of birth and gradually healed with a scar. The rest of the cutaneous and physical examination was unremarkable.

Images

Fig 1

Fig 2

Laboratory Data

CXR and abdominal ultrasonography were normal.

Histopathology

nil

Diagnosis Aplasia cutis congenital (ACC) in association with hemangioma
Reasons Presented

ACC may be an isolated defect or be in association with different anomalies and a classification for it is proposed by Frieden on the basis of associated abnormalities and inheritence patterns.(1)

Association of hemangioma and ACC is rarely reported. Fryburg and Greer reported a case of epidermal nevus and bullous ACC. Their case also had 2 small hemangiomas on the upper back. (2)

I started prednisolone (3mg/kg) for this patient. Also, I had consultations with an ophthalmologist, ENT surgeon, plastic surgeon and pediatrician. No one offered any other treatment. Another dermatologist recommended PDL laser.

Questions

1. The most important question is that how can we help this baby? I’m not optimistic about laser in hemangiomas after seeing failures in a few done by my colleagues and after reading a paper about its uselessness.
2. Is there any association between ACC and hemangioma?
3. What about the maternal thyroid problem and ACC?
4. How can we reduce the pharmacists’ mistakes? Is it our responsibility to double check the medications we prescribe?

References

1. Frieden IJ. Aplasia cutis congenital: a clinical review and proposal of classification. J Am Acad Dermatol 1986;14:646-60
2. Fryburg JS, Greer KE. Epidermal nevus and bullous aplasia cutis congenital in a neonate. J Med Genet 1993;30:962-3
3. Batta K, Goodyear HM, Moss C, Williams HC, Hiller L, Waters R. Randomised controlled study of early pulsed dye laser treatment of uncomplicated childhood haemangiomas: results of a 1-year analysis. Lancet. 2002 Aug 17;360(9332):521-7.

Comments from Faculty and Members

Haitham Al-Qari MD, New York, NY, USA, on Jun 14, 2005

Hi, this is a fascinating case. Aplasia cutis congenita in association with hemangioma is rarely reported. Variable expression of the Adams Oliver syndrome has been reported in the literature. Extra cranial alopecia cutis worth investigating for other systemic abnormalities (Echo, parvovirus B19 antibodies….). Antithyroid drugs such as Methimazole and Carbimazole reported to cause (Aplasia Cutis Congenita).(1) I think prednisolone is excellent choice to start with, plus close monitoring for side effects. Laser therapy may be worth trying in the later stage not in the proliferative stage in which prednisolone will work better due to antiinflammatory and antiproliferative effects.

Ref: Drug effects on the fetus and breast-fed infant. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2002 Mar;45(1):6-21.

Gangaram Hemandas FRCP, Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 14, 2005

My first impression of the case was PHACE(S) syndrome. They can get posterior fossa malformations, haemangiomas, arterial anomalies, coarctation of aorta and cardiac defects, eye abnormalities, and occassionally sternal defects, which includes supraumbilical abdominal raphe and sternal cleft.

Treatment involves close follow-up of the patient. Careful attention to neurologic status and head circumference is mandatory. MRI and magnetic resonance arteriography can delineate arterial abnormalities. Haemangiomas over the mandible and neck makes them at risk of airway obstruction- observe for stridor or respiratory distress. A careful cardiac examination with measurement in all 4 extremities to screen for coarctation of the aorta is recommended. Infants with eye abnormalities should be referred to the ophthalmologist.

Steroids may be used if there is evidence of any life or function threatening, ulceration, heart failure or facial haemangioma that cause disfigurement. Pulsed dye laser may be used as an adjunct.

Kenneth A. Arndt, M.D. Professor of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA on Jun 15, 2005

I’d use systemic steroids and I’d start soon. PDL Vbeam might help the superficial component of the lesions as well but won’t induce complete involution. I’d probably do both. Let me know how it goes!

Bernice Krafchik M.D. Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada on June 30, 2005

I usually start with prednisolone 2mg/kg /day. This may well be PHACES syndrome although the anti-thyroid medication may have added to the problems. ( I know about propylthiouracil, not about the other.) It is not Adams Oliver syndrome. I don't think that laser is indicated particularly in these thick lesions

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