Elephantiasis nostras, is a disease that usually affects the lower legs or scrotum.
[Lin P, Phillips T. "Vascular Disorders: Ulcers." (2003). In Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP (Eds.), ''Dermatology'', p. 1637. Mosby ] Swelling is accompanied by rough nodules or wart-like plaques on the skin. If the disease is not treated, it eventually results in pain and immobility.
[Scheinfeld NS. (2009).]
Skin Disorders in Older Adults: Vascular, Lymphatic, and Purpuric Dermatitides, Part 2
. ''Consultant'' 49 (7)
The disease can be described as a cutaneous condition, a final hypertrophic fibrosis following long standing
chronic lymphangitis
Lymphangitis is an inflammation or an infection of the lymphatic channels that occurs as a result of infection at a site distal to the channel. The most common cause of lymphangitis in humans is ''Streptococcus pyogenes'' (Group A strep), hemoly ...
.
Causes
Although elephantiasis nostras resembles the
elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling. It is characterised by edema, hypertrophy, and fibrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels. It may affect the geni ...
caused by helminths, it is not a filarial disease. Instead, it is a complication of chronic
lymphedema
Lymphedema, also known as lymphoedema and lymphatic edema, is a condition of localized swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. The lymphatic system functions as a critical portion of the body's immune system and returns interstitial fl ...
.
[ Both elephantiasis nostras and filarial elephantiasis are characterized by impaired lymphatic drainage, which results in excess fluid accumulation.][
]
Treatment
Treatment consists of antibiotics, elevation of the affected limb, and compression. For persons with elephantiasis nostras who are overweight or obese, weight loss is recommended.[ Oral retinoids have been used to treat the cutaneous manifestations of the disease.][
]
See also
* Chronic lymphangitis
Lymphangitis is an inflammation or an infection of the lymphatic channels that occurs as a result of infection at a site distal to the channel. The most common cause of lymphangitis in humans is ''Streptococcus pyogenes'' (Group A strep), hemoly ...
* Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling. It is characterised by edema, hypertrophy, and fibrosis of skin and subcutaneous tissues, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels. It may affect the geni ...
* Skin lesion
A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this s ...
* List of cutaneous conditions
Many skin conditions affect the human integumentary system—the organ system covering the entire surface of the body and composed of skin, hair, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of this system is as a barrier against t ...
References
Bacterium-related cutaneous conditions
{{Cutaneous-infection-stub