Scleromyxedema: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Scleromyxedema (SM) is a sclerotic variant of lichen or papular mucinosis in which lichenoid papules and scleroderma-like features are both present. It is a rare deposition disorder characterized by generalized papular and sclerodermoid eruptions, mucin deposition, increased fibroblast proliferation, fibrosis, and monoclonal gammopathy (also known as paraproteinemia) mainly of the immunoglobulin G-lambda type in the absence of thyroid disease. It usually affects middle-aged adults and shows no gender or racial predilection. In addition to the skin findings and paraproteinemia, patients with SM have variable multisystem affections that mimic systemic sclerosis; the systems which are commonly involved include the gastrointestinal tract, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, and central nervous systems, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Prominent symptoms include dysphagia, proximal muscle weakness, and dyspnea on exertion; less common but important findings include central nervous system involvement in the form of encephalopathy, convulsions, coma, and psychosis.

Introduction

Scleromyxedema (SM) is one of the 3 forms of lichen myxedematosus that were proposed by Rongioletti in 2006 [1]. Rongioletti refined the old classification and proposed the following 3 forms of lichen myxedematosus: (1) the generalized papular and sclerodermoid variant (the only one that should be called SM); (2) localized forms further classified into 4 subtypes – discrete papular mucinosis, acral persistent papular mucinosis, papular mucinosis of infancy, and a nodular form, and (3) atypical or intermediate forms, including SM without monoclonal gammopathy, localized forms with monoclonal gammopathy and/or systemic symptoms, localized forms with mixed features of the subtypes, and variants that are not well specified [1, 2]. The etiology of the disorder remains an enigma; the precise mechanisms whereby increased fibroblast activity results in mucin deposition remain to be defined [2, 3]. To date, there is no completely satisfactory therapeutic approach to SM. The rarity of the disorder, combined with the lack of well-designed clinical trials studying the disease, translates to a ‘therapeutic ladder’ based on anecdotal reports and small cases series [3].

Case Report

A 47-year-old Sri Lankan man had a history of slow onset, generalized, symmetric papular lesions mostly located on the face, ears, neck, upper trunk, forearms, and hands (fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 3). The papules were set close together, measuring 2–3 mm in diameter, and arranged in a linear pattern. The dorsa of both hands showed clusters of papules (fig. 3). Our patient also had progressive induration, tightness, and infiltration of the skin; there was sclerodactyly, and the ‘doughnut sign’ was evident over the proximal interphalangeal joints due to infiltration of the skin (fig. 3). Additionally, he started to develop progressive proximal muscle weakness, arthralgia, dyspnea especially on exertion, and regurgitation and dysphagia which were the most annoying symptoms for him at the time of examination.

Fig. 1.

Wide-spread, closely set papular eruptions, measuring 2–3 mm, and arranged in a mostly linear pattern.

Fig. 2.

Wide-spread papular eruptions, arranged in a linear pattern on the face, ears, neck, and upper back.

Fig. 3.

Clusters of papules over the dorsum of the hand. Note the ‘doughnut sign’ over the proximal interphalangeal joints (arrow).

A biopsy was taken and revealed papillary dermal myxoid material (demonstrated by colloidal iron) with fibroblastic proliferation consistent with the diagnosis of scleroderma.

Laboratory investigations revealed the following: complete blood count and differential count were within normal range; erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 17 mm/1 h (normal 0–15). Free thyroxin and thyroid stimulating hormone were within normal range. Protein electrophoresis showed the presence of a monoclonal band, about 5.2 g/l, which was typed and proved to be immunoglobulin G-lambda, after immunofixation; cholesterol 6.13 mmol/l (desirable <5.17); triglyceride 3.26 mmol/l (desirable <1.7); high-density lipoprotein 0.92 mmol/l (<1.0 low); low-density lipoprotein 4 mmol/l (desirable <3.36); glucose, urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and corrected calcium were within average range; total protein 84 g/l (normal 60–80); phosphorus 1.52 mmol/l (normal 0.87–1.45); ALT (GPT) 49 U/l (normal 0–40); AST (GOT) 59 U/l (normal 0–37). It was recommended that the patient undergo radiological examination of the chest and esophagus, abdominal ultrasonography, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and electromyography of the deltoid muscle. Also, he was referred to ophthalmology, gastrointestinal, neurology, hematology and pulmonary departments for further assessment, bone marrow biopsy examination and pulmonary function tests. Unfortunately, the patient was lost to follow-up before these assessments and tests could be performed. The patient did not receive any medication due to loss to follow-up.

Discussion

SM should be distinguished as a separate entity, with specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches different from those for other localized forms of lichen myxedematous. Such approaches should take into consideration the multiple systemic disorders associated with this entity and its possible fatal outcome.

The etiopathogenesis of SM and the cause of hyperproliferation of dermal fibroblasts, together with dermal mucin deposition and increased collagen deposition, are not clear. SM serum enhances the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts [4, 5]; however, the stimulating capacity remains even after the removal of the immunoglobulins, indicating that this stimulating capacity is not related to paraproteinemia. Paraproteinemia does not correlate with either extension or progression of the disease [6]. It has been suggested that a circulating factor other than paraproteinemia is responsible for fibroblast proliferation [4, 5]. Inherent altered growth regulation in dermal fibroblast regulation in SM has also been suggested [7, 8, 9].

Desai and James [10] suggest melphalan, systemic steroids, and plasmapheresis as first-line treatments. Second-line therapeutic options include isotretinoin, acitretin, and topical corticosteroids. Third-line strategies consist of the use of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, methotrexate, thalidomide, autologous stem cell transplantation, extracorporeal photopheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, interferon alfa-2b, psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) and radiation [11].

Melphalan has produced some remarkable results in several severe cases, but its use has been restricted because of toxicity [12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]. PUVA, Grenz ray, and electron beam therapy have also been used with mixed results [19]. Variable results have been obtained with systemic steroids [20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] and daily cyclophosphamide [33, 34]. Pulse cyclophosphamide was effective in 1 patient [35]. Etretinate and isotretinoin have been used with variable results [36, 37]. Good response to extracorporeal photochemotherapy after poor response to PUVA, plasmapheresis, isotretinoin, and chlorambucil with prednisone was described in 2 articles [38, 39]. Two patients responded well to plasmapheresis with concomitant immunosuppression [40, 41], whereas another patient did not respond to a single plasmapheresis procedure [42]. Cyclosporine was tried in 1 case report [7], based on reports of its beneficial effects in conditions (systemic sclerosis, morphea, and scleredema) that share similarities with SM [43]. Cyclosporine, through its immunosuppressive effects, could influence lymphokine and growth factor production, directly suppressing fibroblast proliferation and glycosaminoglycan synthesis [44].

High-dose therapy with melphalan followed by stem cell support is being used successfully in patients with myeloma [45]. Feasel et al. [46] were the first to report their experience with this modality in treating a patient with SM. They demonstrated significant improvement in his functional status and skin examination. Lacy et al. [47] retrospectively evaluated 6 patients with SM who were offered high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. They concluded that high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue offers a durable remission in most patients, although it is not curative. They advise that this treatment be considered before treatment with alkylating agents or other treatments that could adversely affect the ability to harvest stem cells. Illa et al. [48] successfully treated a 66-year-old man with SM, associated with an immunoglobulin G-lambda paraprotein, with the BEAM regimen (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine [Ara-C], and melphalan) and autologous stem cell transplantation. The patient fully recovered after 6 months and was still in remission 3 years after transplantation, although the M spike remained detectable. The authors chose this protocol because they hypothesized that this would help avoid the relapses observed in patients who received melphalan alone. They were also able to demonstrate that the proliferation rate of fibroblasts decreased with treatment, independent of immunoglobulins.

Several recent studies evaluated the efficacy of IVIG therapy in patients with SM and reported its dramatic initial results, which, however, need to be sustained with long-term, regular maintenance therapy. One study evaluated a case series of 10 patients with SM, highlighting their notable clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data, and documenting their experience with IVIG as the primary therapy [49]. They reported the successful use of IVIG as an initial therapy, with dramatic results, that needs long-term maintenance. The data from this study as well as those from others, demonstrate that the monoclonal antibody level was not reduced by IVIG therapy, and that the clinical manifestation of SM eventually relapses despite dramatic initial responses. However, it is also evident that repetitive retreatment with IVIG therapy can rapidly recapture control of the skin disease and other systemic symptoms for an extended period of time [50, 51, 52, 53].

Rongioletti et al. [54] conducted a retrospective and prospective multicenter study to describe the characteristics of patients with SM, including the therapeutic interventions that were administered to them and their effectiveness. Their data supported the contention that IVIG is a relatively effective and safe treatment, the response is not permanent, and maintenance infusions are required. They also summarized (table 1) the different therapeutic regimens that were used in 25 patients and their effectiveness. Partial response was defined as a decrease in skin changes and improvement in systemic symptoms, and complete response as the disappearance of symptoms and no detectable skin findings on examination.

Table 1.

Treatment modalities in 25 patients with SM [54]

Treatments	Patients	Complete response	Partial response	Failure
Tried 1	14
IVIG alone		3	3
Steroids alone (PS/dexamethasone)				2
Thalidomide			1
Acitretin			1
Melphalan				1
Mycophenolate mofetil				1
PS + thalidomide			1
PS + hydroxychloroquine			1
Tried 2	3
PS, followed by IVIG			2*
Hydroxychloroquine, followed by phototherapy				1
Tried 3	5
PSL, followed by photopheresis, followed by IVIG			1*
MTX, followed by PS, followed by IVIG			1*
Phototherapy, followed by radiotherapy, followed by isotretinoin				1
Chloroquine, followed by etretinate, followed by interferon alfa-2b				1
Melphalan + PS, followed by photopheresis + PS + MTX, followed by radiotherapy				1
Tried 4	2
Hydroxychloroquine, followed by PS, followed by thalidomide, followed by IVIG + lenalidomide		1†
Thalidomide, followed by bath PUVA, followed by photopheresis, followed by PSL + IVIG			1++
Tried 5
Cyclosporine, followed by azathioprine, followed by cyclophosphamide, followed by MTX + PS, followed by IVIG	1		1*

MTX = Methotrexate; PS = prednisone; PSL = prednisolone.

^*Caused by IVIG.

^†Caused by IVIG + lenalidomide.

⁺⁺Caused by IVIG + steroids.

With a better understanding of the exact pathogenesis of SM and the mechanisms of newly emerged, more specific and directed therapies, especially in the era of biological treatment, we can help these patients receive more effective treatment with fewer side effects. In this context, we would like to encourage more studies on the pathogenesis of SM, along with multicenter studies to assess the efficacy of different treatment modalities, taking into consideration the rarity of this disease entity and its possible fatal outcome.