Journal of Clinical Dermatology & Therapy Category: Clinical Type: Case Report

Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau with Unusual Features

Ravikumar BC1*, Suchetha Subba Swamy1 and Vinay KN1
1 Department of dermatology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences, Venereology & Leprosy, Hassan, India

*Corresponding Author(s):
Ravikumar BC
Department Of Dermatology, Hassan Institute Of Medical Sciences, Venereology & Leprosy, Hassan, India
Tel:+91 9448742905,
Email:dr.ravikumarbc@gmail.com

Received Date: Apr 20, 2015
Accepted Date: Jul 16, 2015
Published Date: Jul 30, 2015

Abstract

Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare clinical entity characterized by sterile pustular eruptions on the hands and feet. It is often considered to be a variant of pustular psoriasis with a chronic relapsing course that tends to be resistant to both topical and systemic treatments for psoriasis. Though ACH may present with paronychia, onychodystrophy and osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes, deformities in the form of auto amputation of the digits and toes has not been reported in the literature. We report this patient with ACH who presented to us with unusual features of auto amputation of toes.

Keywords

Acrodermatitis; Auto amputation; Continua; Hallopeau

INTRODUCTION

Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is an uncommon clinical entity characterized by sterile pustular eruptions on the hands and feet. The disease has a relapsing course [1] and it predominantly affects the fingertips with nail involvement [2]. ACH is most common in middle aged women [3] and is rarely reported in Indian literature. Though ACH may present with paronychia, onychodystrophy and osteolysis of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes, severe deformity like auto amputation of the fingers and toes is hither to unreported. We are reporting this case of ACH in a 60 year old male because of its rarity in Indian literature and also because of the unusual deformity witnessed in this patient.

CASE REPORT

A 60 year old male presented with history of recurrent flares of painful pustular and scaly lesions on distal portion of all toes since 47 years. On examination, erythematosquamous lesions were present over dorsal aspect of right great toe. There was shortening of all toes except right great toe (Figure 1). Dystrophic changes were seen over the nails of bilateral great toes. There was no history of surgical amputation of the toes. There was no personal or family history of psoriasis or diabetes mellitus. The patient’s medical history was otherwise unremarkable. Peripheral pulses and peripheral sensations were normal. The patient was a non smoker and there was no history of similar complaints among any of the family members. The patient had taken several medications in the form of various antibiotics, antifungals and corticosteroids both topically and orally.



Figure 1: Erythemato squamous lesions over dorsal aspect of right great toe with shortening of all toes except right great toe. Note the dystrophic changes over the nails of bilateral great toes.

The bacterial culture from the pustule did not show any bacterial growth. KOH mount from skin lesions and the nail clippings was negative for fungal filaments. 

X-ray of both feet showed resorption of middle and distal phalanges of all toes except the right great toe bilaterally and partial resorption of proximal phalanx of left great toe (Figure 2).


Figure 2: X-ray of feet showing resorption of middle and distal phalanges of the lateral four toes bilaterally and partial resorption of proximal phalanx of left great toe.

Histopathological examination of the lesion revealed psoriatic changes with elongated rete ridges, mild acanthosis with parakeratosis. Dermis showed dilated blood vessels with perivascular edema and infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils (Figure 3).


Figure 3: Histopathological examination of the lesion showing psoriatic changes with elongated rete ridges, mild acanthosis with parakeratosis. Dermis shows dilated blood vessels with perivascular edema and infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils.

All the other investigations including complete haemogram, liver and renal functions tests were normal. Tests for HIV, HBs Ag were also negative. 

Based on clinical and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau was made. We treated the patient initially conservatively with oral antibiotics and topical steroids. Since no improvement was achieved, we started oral pentoxifylline with which the patient could find some relief in the form of alleviation of pain. We are planning to start the patient on TNF-α inhibitors during the next follow up.

DISCUSSION

Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau (ACH) is a rare, chronic, localized sterile pustular eruption of the fingers and toes [4]. Although it is generally considered to be a variant of pustular psoriasis, some people classify it as a separate entity [5]. It is most common in middle-aged women and often begins after localized trauma or infection on a single digit. 

ACH presents with multiple pustules and scales on an erythematous base and is usually restricted to a distal aspect of one or two digits. The pustules may coalesce to form lakes of pus and may spread proximally to involve dorsal aspect of hands, forearms and feet [3]. The disease process may result in sclerosis and osteolysis if left untreated [1]. In addition, onychodystrophy and anonychia can result from pustulation of the nail bed and nail matrix [1,3,6]. Auto amputation witnessed in our patient is unusual in ACH.

Histologically, ACH displays features of pustular psoriasis that include sub corneal neutrophilic pustules and spongiform pustules of kogoj, with a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate and focal edema of the superficial dermis [3,7]. X-ray may reveal atrophy of the distal phalanx and arthropathy of interphalangeal joints [8].

Several diseases mimic ACH like parakeratosis pustulosa, pustular psoriasis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, tinea pedis, paronychia, dry fissured eczematoid dermatitis and pemphigus vegetans. ACH can be differentiated from all these entities by the characteristic clinical findings, absence of contact sensitizing agents, other features of atopic diathesis, fungal filaments on KOH mount, immunofluorescence and so on.

Treatment of ACH is difficult and often disappointing. Topical treatments tried are glucocorticoids, calcipotriol, 5-fluorouracil, tar, dithranol, calcineurin inhibitors, NB-UVB [9]. Systemic treatments include oral retinoids, cyclosporine, methotrexate combined with oral propylthiouracil, PUVA, dapsone, thalidomide in association with ultraviolet rays and tetracyclines. However recent reports have suggested promising results with infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab [7,10]. But larger studies are needed to prove that these medications are consistently effective in controlling the disease.

We have reported this male patient with ACH because of the hitherto unreported severe morbidity in the form of pain and autoamputation of toes.

REFERENCES

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Citation: Ravikumar BC, Swamy SS, Vinay KN (2015) Acrodermatitis Continua of Hallopeau with Unusual Features. J Clin Dermatol Ther 2: 012.

Copyright: © 2015  Ravikumar BC, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.


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