Pseudoxanthoma elasticum veiled as vasculitis: shedding light on an uncommon disorder and an in-depth review of the literature.

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE) is a rare genetic disorder caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the ABCC6 gene. It manifests with distinctive clinical symptoms impacting the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system, along with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases. We present a case of a 34-year-old male patient who was initially referred to the rheumatology clinic for evaluation due to suspected large vessel vasculitis. The patient's primary complaint was severe hemifacial pain radiating to the neck and upper limb. Radiological imaging studies unveiled substantial vascular narrowing and collateral vessel formation, prompting further investigation to exclude systemic vasculitis. Intriguingly, the patient also exhibited cutaneous manifestations, which were later confirmed via skin biopsy as consistent with PXE. An ophthalmological examination further revealed the presence of the classic PXE findings of angioid streaks. Given the rarity of PXE and its multifaceted clinical presentation, it can be particularly challenging to diagnose and manage. As such, cases like the one presented here may necessitate a referral to a rheumatologist for evaluation of potential systemic involvement. To provide a comprehensive perspective on PXE, we conducted a systematic review of case reports published in the past decade in English, collected from PubMed, Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access databases. The analysis of these cases will be discussed to shed light on the diversity of PXE's clinical features and the diagnostic and management dilemmas it poses and to facilitate ongoing exploration and research into this intricate condition, ultimately leading to improved care for individuals affected by PXE.

A Plasma Pyrophosphate Cutoff Value for Diagnosing Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare inherited systemic disease responsible for a juvenile peripheral arterial calcification disease. The clinical diagnosis of PXE is only based on a complex multi-organ phenotypic score and/or genetical analysis. Reduced plasma inorganic pyrophosphate concentration [PPi]p has been linked to PXE. In this study, we used a novel and accurate method to measure [PPi]p in one of the largest cohorts of PXE patients, and we reported the valuable contribution of a cutoff value to PXE diagnosis. Plasma samples and clinical records from two French reference centers for PXE (PXE Consultation Center, Angers, and FAVA-MULTI South Competent Center, Nice) were assessed. Plasma PPi were measured in 153 PXE and 46 non-PXE patients. The PPi concentrations in the plasma samples were determined by a new method combining enzymatic and ion chromatography approaches. The best match between the sensitivity and specificity (Youden index) for diagnosing PXE was determined by ROC analysis. [PPi]p were lower in PXE patients (0.92 ± 0.30 µmol/L) than in non-PXE patients (1.61 ± 0.33 µmol/L, p < 0.0001), corresponding to a mean reduction of 43 ± 19% (SD). The PPi cutoff value for diagnosing PXE in all patients was 1.2 µmol/L, with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.1% (AUC = 0.93), without sex differences. In patients aged <50 years (i.e., the age period for PXE diagnosis), the cutoff PPi was 1.2 µmol/L (sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 93%, 96%, and 0.97, respectively). The [PPi]p shows high accuracy for diagnosing PXE; thus, quantifying plasma PPi represents the first blood assay for diagnosing PXE.

Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum-Like Changes:Associations- and Underlying Mechanisms.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder characterized by degradation and fragmentation of elastic fibers and calcium depos- its in the dermis. It clinically manifests as yellow papules or plaques in a cobblestone distribution or "plucked-chicken skin" appearance on the lateral neck and/or flexural areas. In addition, it can also affect the eyes, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems. It is considered as the prototype of ectopic heritable mineralization disorders, usually diagnosed in the second decade of life. The majority of patients are sporadic but recessive, but pseudodominant autosomal forms have been described as well. Mutations affecting the ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6 (ABCC6) gene or gamma-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) gene lead to PXE. Accumulating evidence in the literature has found that numerous disorders may demonstrate cutaneous PXE-like clinical and/or histologic features without any other systemic evidence of PXE or any genetic documentation of inherited mutations. In this review, we aimed to highlight all the disorders that were reported to exhibit PXE-like clinical and/or microscopic changes and to discuss possible underlying mechanisms leading to such an overlap.

Anti-VEGF Treatment for Secondary Neovascularization in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum - Age of Onset, Treatment Frequency, and Visual Outcome.

PURPOSE: To assess the onset, treatment frequency, and visual outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment due to secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study METHODS: One-hundred six eyes of 53 patients with PXE were analyzed. The assessment of CNV activity relied on hemorrhage visible on funduscopy and intra- / subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography (OCT), individually defining a shortening or extension of treatment interval. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline, age at anti-VEGF therapy initiation, and BCVA-drop events at exudation onset (worsening of BCVA of 2 or more lines) were documented. Further, we assessed the number of injections during the first year and the total number of injections, the time to treatment initiation of the fellow eye, and BCVA over time. RESULTS: During a median observation period of 77 months (IQR 49; 126) patients received a median number of 28.0 anti-VEGF-injections (IQR 9.8; 43.5). Eight patients received no injection (median age at baseline 38.1 years), 11 patients underwent anti-VEGF treatment in one eye (median age 47.2 years) and 34 patients in both eyes (median age 51.8 years). The median age at the first anti-VEGF treatment was 52.80 years (IQR 47.2-57.6). Applying Cox regression models, the median "survival" time of fellow eye until treatment initiation was 16.8 months. In the group of bilateral treated patients, the median time difference was 9.6 months (IQR 2.1- 32.4, range 0-122) The median number of injections was 5.5 per eye in the first year of treatment (IQR 3-7) and was associated with the total number of injections in the observation period (2.33, CI 1.22-3.44, P < .001). A better BCVA at the last follow-up visit was associated with a better baseline BCVA (P < .001, R2 = 0.318) and with the absence of a BCVA drop at the onset of exudation (P = 0.035, R2 = 0.339). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that anti-VEGF treatment is required for most PXE patients at a relatively young age. Once treatment in one eye is initiated, the time to fellow eye treatment is relatively short. A BCVA drop before treatment initiation is a risk factor for worse visual outcomes, suggesting that treatment is prudent before exudation affects the central retina. Given the young age of onset and intensive treatment needs, patients with PXE might particularly benefit from longer-acting anti-VEGF therapeutics.

Descubriendo el pseudoxantoma elástico / Discovering the elasticum pseudoxanthoma

Enfermedad hereditaria rara, el pseudoxantoma elástico es un trastorno genético del tejido conectivo, que se caracteriza por fragmentación de las fibras elásticas y posterior calcificación de éstas afectando dermis, vasos sanguíneos y la membrana de Bruch de retina. El patrón de herencia es muy variable, lo que hace posible que esta enfermedad pueda estar subdiagnosticada. La escasa incidencia de esta patología justifica la presentación de dos casos que tuvieron solamente manifestaciones cutáneas.

Hereditary disease does not frequent pseudoxanthoma elastic; is a genetic upheaval of the conective weave, that characterizes by fragmentation of elastic fibers and later calcification of these, affecting dermis, blood vessels and membrane of Bruch of retina. The inheritance pattern is very variable which causes that disease; can be subdiagnosed. The litlle incidence of this pathology, causes that in our professional experience we have been able to diagnose two cases in which the manifestations were cutaneous.

Seudoxantoma elastico: Presentacion de un caso / Pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Report of a case

Presentamos el caso de un paciente del sexo masculino que comienza a presentar sangramiento digestivo alto. Se comprueba la existencia de lesiones en piel y en el fondo de ojo que corresponden a un seudoxantoma elastico. Se confirma el diagnostico mediante biopsia de piel

Pseudoxantoma elástico simil elastolisis de la dermis papilar / Pseudoxanthoma elasticum like papillary dermal elastolysis

Se comunica una paciente se sexo femenino de 49 años de edad con lesiones papulosas, amarillentas, no foliculares que coalescen en placas localizadas en caras laterales de cuello y fosas supraclavículares. En la histología se observa ausencia parcial o reducción de fibras clásicas a nivel de la dermis papilar. Este cuadro coincide con el descripto por Rongioletti y Rebora con el nombre de Pseudoxantona elástico simil elastolisis de la dermis papilar. Se describen además otros cuadros con cambios a nivel de los componentes de la dermis vinculables con el envejecimiento intríseco

Síndrome de Gronblad-Strandberg: análise de 4 casos / Gronblad-Strandberg Syndrome: a four-case analysis

Os autores relatam quatro casos de estrias angióides associadas com pseudoxantoma elástico (Síndrome de Gronblad-Strandberg) diagnosticados no Serviço de Oftalmologia do HCPA. Discutem as alteraçöes sistêmicas encontradas e enfatizam a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do acompanhamento oftalmológico destes pacientes.

Pseudoxantoma elástico símil elastólisis dérmica papilar / Pseudoxanthoma elasticum like papillary dermal elastolysis

Presentamos una paciente de 71 años, de sexo femenino, que presenta lesiones cutáneas de un año de evolución. Las mismas son pápulas interfoliculares blanquecinas en las regiones laterales y posterior del cuello, que semejan pseudoxantoma elástico. Los exámenes oftalmológico y cardiovascular fueron normales. La histología reveló ausencia de fibras elásticas en la dermis papilar. Con estos hallazgos se realizó el diagnóstico de pseudoxantoma elástico simil elastólisis dérmica papilar. Esta nueva entidad forma parte de lo que Rongioletti y colaboradores denominaron síndromes fibroelastolíticos relacionados con la edad, considerados como patrones clínico-patológicos del envejecimiento cutáneo intrínseco

Pseudoxantoma elástico: relato de um caso / Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: report of one case

Os autores faxem uma breve revisäo bibliográfica do Pseudoxantoma elástico (PXE) e seus mais variados aspectos. A seguir apresentam um caso clínico por eles observado

Pseudoxantoma-símil / Pseudoxanthoma-like

Describimos una paciente con lesiones en cuello, semejantes al pseudoxantoma elástico. Rongioletti propuso el término de PXE-like papillary dermal elastolysis. El examen dermatológico mostró pápulas amarillentas, no foliculares, pequeñas, en región laterocervical y mastoidea, con aspecto de piel de pollo. Los exámenes de laboratorio, oftalmológicos, Rx de tórax y electrocardiograma fueron normales. Histológicamente se observó epidermis normal y en dermis reticular la presencia de fibras elásticas inmaduras. El aspecto cutáneo era igual al PXE, pero sin deposición de calcio en las fibras elásticas. Creemos que esta afección se debería a cambios secundarios producidos en los proteoglícanos como los que se observan en la elastosis solar y el PXE

Pseudoxantoma elástico: consideraçöes clínicas diagnósticas: análise de cinco casos / Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: clinical and diagnostic considerations: analysis of 5 cases

O pseudoxantoma elástico é uma desordem progressiva das fibras elásticas com alteraçöes dermatológicas, oftalmológicas e cardiovasculares. Os autores descrevem cinco novos casos e abordam aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais da moléstia

Pseudoxantoma elástico / Pseudoxanthona elasticum

Pseudoxantoma elástico: relato de um caso e revisão da literatura. Reportamos um caso típico de pseudoxantoma elástico com lesões cutâneas exuberantes e com comprometimento arterial periférico. Exame oftalmológico mostrou a presença de estrias angióides de retina e o estudo histopatológico de uma das lesões cutâneas confirmou o diagnóstico de pseudoxantoma elástico.

Síndrome de Gronblad Strandberg / Gröndblad Strandberg's syndrome

Se presenta un caso de Síndrome de Grönblad-Strandberg en una mujer de 38 años con típicas manifestaciones dermatológicas y oculares, sin compromiso vascular ni gastrointestinal, correspondiente a la forma autosómica dominante tipo II de Pope. Se efectuaron estudios de laboratorio, radiográficos, histopatológicos y oftalmológicos y se resalta la necesidad de interrelación entre clínicos y especialistas para el diagnóstico correcto de esta enfermedad