About degos syndrome

What is degos syndrome?

Degos disease is an extremely rare disorder in which small and medium sized arteries become blocked (occlusive arteriopathy), restricting the flow of blood to affected areas. Degos disease usually causes characteristic skin lesions that may last for a period of time ranging from weeks to years. In some individuals, Degos disease will be limited to the skin (benign cutaneous Degos disease); other individuals will also develop symptoms affecting other organ systems (systemic Degos disease). Systemic Degos disease is most frequently characterized by lesions in the small intestine, but other organs are also affected. Major symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or weight loss. The systemic form of Degos disease can cause life-threatening complications such as perforated bowels leading to inflammation of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). The exact cause of Degos disease is unknown.

Many researchers caution that statistics concerning Degos disease are inaccurate because many individuals go undiagnosed and most medical reports disproportionately discuss the more serious systemic form. It is important to note that some individuals only develop skin lesions (which are not associated with life-threatening complications) and do not go on to develop systemic Degos disease. Affected individuals should talk to their physicians and medical team about their specific case and associated symptoms.

What are the symptoms for degos syndrome?

Red spot swelled symptom was found in the degos syndrome condition

In most cases, the initial symptoms of Degos disease are distinct skin Lesions or a rash. Affected individuals develop small elevated Bumps or spots (papules) of varying shape, usually on the trunk and upper arms and upper legs. Initially, only a few Lesions may be apparent. Eventually, 10-40 Lesions may slowly develop and, in some cases, hundreds may develop. The palms, soles, and face are usually spared. The Lesions may sometimes itch (pruritis). The Lesions start as reddish or pink Bumps and eventually the center degenerates (atrophies) such that older Lesions have a reddish border with porcelain-white, atrophic centers.

In certain individuals, blood vessels in areas other than the skin eventually become involved which can result in serious complications. The specific organ systems affected and the severity of associated symptoms can vary greatly. Individuals who develop systemic Degos disease will not develop all of the symptoms discussed below.

The most common area affected by Degos disease outside of the skin is the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal involvement can occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few years after the skin Lesions develop. In extremely rare cases, gastrointestinal involvement may precede the development of skin lesions.

When Lesions form in the small intestines, they may cause abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and the passing of blood with bowel movements or Vomiting up of blood. Some affected individuals may experience weakness, Fatigue and Weight loss from malabsorption. The intestinal Lesions can tear or rupture (perforate) causing the contents of the intestines to leak into the abdominal cavity. This results in Inflammation of the membranes lining the abdominal cavity (peritonitis), a life-threatening complication.

Some individuals with systemic Degos disease experience involvement of the central nervous system (CNS). Symptoms of CNS involvement vary depending upon the specific areas affected, but may include headaches, dizziness, seizures, Paralysis (palsy) of cranial nerves, Weakness of one side of the body (hemiparesis), strokes, and damage to small areas of cells in the brain due to blocked arteries (cerebral infarcts.) Nonspecific neurological symptoms such as memory loss or altered sensations may also occur.

Additional organ systems that can become involved include the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. When the eyes are affected, individuals may develop double vision (diplopia), drooping of the eyelids (ptosis), clouding of the lenses of the eyes (cataracts), atrophy of the optic nerve, Swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema), and loss of part of the field of vision (visual-field defects).

When the heart is affected, individuals may develop weakness, shortness of breath upon exertion, and chest pain. In some cases, Inflammation of the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium) may occur. This may develop into permanent thickening, with resulting scarring and contracture of the pericardium (constrictive pericarditis).

Inflammation of the membranes lining the lungs (pleuritis) and fluid collection around the lungs (pleural effusion) has also been reported.

What are the causes for degos syndrome?

The exact cause of Degos disease is unknown. The disease process causes the cells lining the arteries to multiply, which contributes to the narrowing or blocking of arteries (arterial occlusion). Areas of severely damaged tissue (necrosis) may appear when narrowed or blocked arteries restrict blood flow (occlusive arteriopathy). The effects of Degos disease depend upon the location of the blocked arteries and necrotic lesions.

Many theories have been proposed as to what is the underlying cause of Degos disease. Three main theories include (1) viral infection, (2) defects in the body’s blood clotting ability (primary disorder of coagulation) and (3) autoimmunity, whereby the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

Some cases of Degos disease have run in families suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder may exist in these cases. The mode of inheritance of this familial variant of Degos disease is unknown. Interestingly, this form of Degos disease is usually limited to the skin (benign cutaneous Degos disease).

What are the treatments for degos syndrome?

No specific therapy has been identified for Degos disease. Treatment is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual.

In diagnosed cases of Degos disease, examination of the gastrointestinal tract on a regular basis may detect intestinal perforation before symptoms of acute complications (i.e., peritonitis) appear. Some associated complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding or intestinal perforation may require surgical intervention.

What are the risk factors for degos syndrome?

Approximately 200 cases of Degos disease have been reported in the medical literature. The exact incidence of the disorder is unknown. Many researchers believe that Degos disease is under-diagnosed, making it difficult to determine its true frequency in the general population. Degos disease can affect individuals of any age, but is more common in young adults. In the reported cases, males have been affected more often than females. However, one study found that women developed the benign cutaneous form of Degos disease more often than men. .

The disorder was first described in the medical literature in 1941 and recognized as a distinct clinical entity by Dr. Degos in 1942.

Is there a cure/medications for degos syndrome?

Blockage of blood vessels/arteries restricts the flow to the blood vessels of the skin & other organs, which is Degos Syndrome. It defects the small intestine and other abdominal organs lesions (damage to skin and lining of organs) due to undetected causes.

Diagnosis:

  • Tests in the case of this syndrome present nothing but everything normal. It is necessary to have a skin biopsy if a doubt arises.
  • Symptoms reveal a 50% diagnosis of the disease.
  • Patient's history gives the information on the infections caught.
  • Characteristic identification like skin lesions can detect the cause.
  • Microscopic examination of skin tissue reveals comparative changes.


Cure/treatments:

  • It involves precautions and preventions for the healing process and complete cure of this disease. It is infectious, and patient needs a specific environment for patients for no one except doctors with protection can visit them:
  • Surgical Intervention: In case of severe intestinal issues, surgery is the only option to repair the holes created inside the gut.
  • Anti-Platelet Medication therapy: Stops bleeding in blood vessels and clots to repair the skin from all the layers.
  • Immunosuppressive method: Suppresses body's immune system for mild cases of Degos Syndrome.
  • Nicotine Patches: Used to improve damaged skin and Gastrointestinal issues of the disease.
  • Intravenous Immunoglobulin: Used to treat patients by injecting medicines and found improvements.
  • Research is still on to invent new and more effective ways to provide cures and long-term safety to the patients affected with this disease.


Symptoms
White Spots on Skin,Red spot swelled,Blood in vomit and bowel motion,Strokes,Epilepsy,Memory loss,Altered Sensation
Conditions
Skin Disorder,Gastric Problems,Nervous System Damage,Heart, Kidney, Liver affected
Drugs
Antiplatelet Drugs (Aspirin, dipyridamole),Heparin,Intravenous immunoglobulin,Eculizumab

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