We have been having technical problems with VGRD and have elected to publish this case here. Your comments will be appreciated -- please mail them directly DJ Elpern and we will post them to VGRD when it is up and running,
78 yo man with episodic incapacitating pruritus
Duration: 4 years
Distribution: Generalized, but sparing head and feet
The patient is a 78-year-old semi-retired music producer who presents with a four-year history of episodic intense pruritus that is generalized but has spared the face and the feet. It may have begun on the brachioradial areas of the arms but over a period of time spread to involve the sacrum, the chest, the back and the legs. He describes “a burning itch that you just cannot ignore.” At times he has “gone into a panic” over this. The itch can feel like “hot needles” applied to certain areas of the skin. He has also had scrotal pruritus for two years
The patient has seen a number of different physicians for this including four dermatologists. He has had biopsies done with nonspecific findings and direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies also have been noncontributory. There have been positive ANAs but no one has been able to correlate those with his pruritus.
His brother, has a similar problem and has been treated with CsA and azathioprine with good results.
Treatment:
1. multiple antihistamines -†no help.
2. multiple topical steroids -†no help.
3. Gabapentin - caused severe dizziness...unable to use.)
4. prednisone, three courses - resolved or alleviated symptoms.
(though less completely the second and third time.)
5. plaquenil, one month†- no help.
6. naltrexone, 2 weeks†- no help.
7. dapsone, 2 weeks†- no help.
8. pentoxifylline 400 qd x 2 weeks†- no help.
9. cellcept 2000 mg x 19 days†- no help.
10. Local heat hot compress seems to resolve it quickly though only temporarily).
11. Immuran
O/E: Excoriated papules – some crusted. Arms, legs, lower back, sacrum – sparing mid back, face. No vesicles or bullae.
Bx:
A superficial perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with scattered eosinophils and occasional neutrophils . Note : These changes are urticarial in nature. The histologic differential diagnosis includes urticaria or a dermal hypersensitivity reaction such as a drug eruption or insect bite reaction. Clinico-pathologic correlation is suggested.
Duration: 4 years
Distribution: Generalized, but sparing head and feet
The patient is a 78-year-old semi-retired music producer who presents with a four-year history of episodic intense pruritus that is generalized but has spared the face and the feet. It may have begun on the brachioradial areas of the arms but over a period of time spread to involve the sacrum, the chest, the back and the legs. He describes “a burning itch that you just cannot ignore.” At times he has “gone into a panic” over this. The itch can feel like “hot needles” applied to certain areas of the skin. He has also had scrotal pruritus for two years
The patient has seen a number of different physicians for this including four dermatologists. He has had biopsies done with nonspecific findings and direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies also have been noncontributory. There have been positive ANAs but no one has been able to correlate those with his pruritus.
His brother, has a similar problem and has been treated with CsA and azathioprine with good results.
Treatment:
1. multiple antihistamines -†no help.
2. multiple topical steroids -†no help.
3. Gabapentin - caused severe dizziness...unable to use.)
4. prednisone, three courses - resolved or alleviated symptoms.
(though less completely the second and third time.)
5. plaquenil, one month†- no help.
6. naltrexone, 2 weeks†- no help.
7. dapsone, 2 weeks†- no help.
8. pentoxifylline 400 qd x 2 weeks†- no help.
9. cellcept 2000 mg x 19 days†- no help.
10. Local heat hot compress seems to resolve it quickly though only temporarily).
11. Immuran
O/E: Excoriated papules – some crusted. Arms, legs, lower back, sacrum – sparing mid back, face. No vesicles or bullae.
Bx:
A superficial perivascular and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with scattered eosinophils and occasional neutrophils . Note : These changes are urticarial in nature. The histologic differential diagnosis includes urticaria or a dermal hypersensitivity reaction such as a drug eruption or insect bite reaction. Clinico-pathologic correlation is suggested.
Diagnosis: Uncertain. Possibly Subacute Prurigo
Reason Presented:
For diagnostic and therapeutic suggestions.. Have you seen similar cases? What has been the outcome?
DISCUSSION: All of his dermnatologists thought of D.H. but the biopsies have not confirmed this and dapsone and gluten free diet have not helped.
Please respond directly to DJ Elpern
Reason Presented:
For diagnostic and therapeutic suggestions.. Have you seen similar cases? What has been the outcome?
DISCUSSION: All of his dermnatologists thought of D.H. but the biopsies have not confirmed this and dapsone and gluten free diet have not helped.
Please respond directly to DJ Elpern
Agree that the presentation is consistent with subacute prurigo if "drugs and bugs" can be completely exlcuded. Most everyone I see this age is on at least one antihypertensive drug. ACE inhibitors can produce a prodromal BP-like picture which would be consistent with the eosinophils on biopsy in this case. Alernatively, I have seen several similar cases of presumed subacute prurigo resolve completely after ivermectin treatment for occult scabies.
ReplyDeleteAlthough history is quite prolonged, but giving a fair try of anti-scabeitic treatment should be worthwhile. The history of having suffered scrotal itching, along with the kind of excoriated lesions, and also temporary relief with episodes of prednisolone, I think there's no harm in treating for scabies. Do he and his brother stay together, I mean in same house?
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