Elephantiasis nostras

Elephantiasis nostras
Specialty	Dermatology

Elephantiasis nostras is a disease that usually affects the lower legs or scrotum.[1] 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.[2]

The disease can be described as a cutaneous condition, a final hypertrophic fibrosis following long standing chronic lymphangitis.[3]: 261 

Causes

Although elephantiasis nostras resembles the elephantiasis caused by helminths, it is not a filarial disease. Instead, it is a complication of chronic lymphedema.[1] Both elephantiasis nostras and filarial elephantiasis are characterized by impaired lymphatic drainage, which results in excess fluid accumulation.[2]

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.[2] Oral retinoids have been used to treat the cutaneous manifestations of the disease.[1]

See also

• Chronic lymphangitis
• Elephantiasis
• Skin lesion
• List of cutaneous conditions

References

1. Lin P, Phillips T. "Vascular Disorders: Ulcers" (2003). In Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP (Eds.), Dermatology, p. 1637. Mosby ISBN 0-323-02409-2
2. Scheinfeld NS. (2009). "Skin Disorders in Older Adults: Vascular, Lymphatic, and Purpuric Dermatitides, Part 2 Archived 2012-09-24 at the Wayback Machine". Consultant 49 (7)
3. James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.