Research Article Open Access
Diallo et al., Dermatol Case Rep 2017,2:3
Dermatology Case Reports
D
e
r
m
a
t
o
lo
g
y
C
a
s
e
R
e
p
o
r
t
Open Access Case Report
Volume 2 • Issue 3 • 1000131 Dermatol Case Rep, an open access journal
*Corresponding author: Moussa Diallo, Department of Dermatology, Aristide
LeDantec University Hospital, Dakar, BP 6821 Dakar-Etoile, Senegal, Tel: 00 (221)
77 762 90 90, E-mail: moussante@hotmail.com
Received: October 23, 2017; Accepted: November 23, 2017; Published: November
30, 2017
Citation: Diallo M, Touré M, Diop A, Diatta BA, Seck B, et al. (2017)
Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis with Lung Involvement and Acquired Ichthyosis.
Dermatol Case Rep 2: 131
Copyright: © 2017 Diallo M, 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.
Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis with Lung Involvement and Acquired
Ichthyosis
Diallo M
1
*, Touré M
2
, Diop A
1
, Diatta BA
1
, Seck B
1
, Diadie S
1
, Deh A
1
, Diop K
1
and Niang SO
1
¹Department of Dermatology, Aristide LeDantec University Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
2
Department of Internal Medicine, Aristide LeDantec University Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
Abstract
We report a case of a 28-year-old man with xanthomas over the extensors of the limbs, cataract, chronic diarrhea
and various neurological disabilities. There was also an ichthyosis, which predominate over the lower limbs. Chest CT-
scan showed bilateral apical opacities with cystic images in the culmen. Brain MRI revealed bilateral and symmetric T2
and FLAIR hyper-signals sequences in the region of dentate nucleus and adjacent cerebellar and periventricular white
matter. We have reported the frst case of CTX in Senegal, which is remarkable by an acquired ichthyosis and excavated
lung lesions simulating a tuberculosis.
Keywords: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis; Cholestenol; Ichthyosis
Introduction
Te cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a genetic condition
resulting from a defciency of the mitochondrial sterol 27-sterol
hydroxylase enzyme, leading mostly to cholestanol accumulation in
various tissues [1]. Tose depositions are preferentially located in the
crystalline lens, tendons and brain, explaining the classical triad of
symptoms consisting of juvenile cataracts, xanthomas and various
neurological disabilities [2].
However, lung involvement has rarely been described as a
presentation of this entity [3]. On the skin, this disease manifests mainly
by tendon xanthomas. To our knowledge, the presentation of acquired
ichthyosis has not been reported yet.
We report the case of a CTX with a lung involvement and an
acquired ichthyosis.
Case Presentation
A 28-year-old man, born of a second-degree consanguineous
marriage was admitted for nodular lesions over the extensors of the
limbs, which has been gradually progressing for the past 8 years.
Te history revealed the existence of a psychomotor retardation with
delay in walking at the age of 5, recurrent chronic diarrhea since early
childhood and at the age of 18, a gait difculty and abnormal movements
associated with dizziness. Tere was also a notion of cataract surgery in
his sister.
Te dermatological examination revealed frm, painless, mobile,
confuent and yellowish nodules of xanthomatous aspect, located
bilaterally over elbows, knees, Achilles’ tendons and over the 2
nd
, the
3
rd
, and the 4
th
fngers (Figure 1). Tere was also an ichthyosis, which
predominantly afected the lower limbs (Figure 2). Te neurological
examination revealed a cerebellar ataxia, a pyramidal syndrome and
a cognitive dysfunction. Te ophthalmological examination showed
crystalline opacities, suggestive of bilateral cortico-nuclear cataract.
Standard laboratory investigations, among which serum cholesterol
and triglycerides were normal. Te tests for serum cholestenol, urinary
bile alcohols and the research of a mutation in the CYP27A1 gene were
not available in our hospitals. Toxoplasmosis and HIV serologies were
negative. Histopathological examination of a skin nodule was consistent
with typical xanthoma.
Te chest x-ray showed alveolar opacities in the lef upper lobe
and a right apical infltrate. Chest CT-scan showed bilateral apical
opacities with cystic images in the culmen (Figure 3). Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of brain revealed bilateral and symmetric T2
and FLAIR hyper-signals sequences in the region of dentate nucleus
and adjacent cerebellar and periventricular white matter (Figure 4). In
the absence of chenodeoxycholic acid, oral ursodesoxycholic acid was
Figure 1: Xanthomas over hands and right elbow.
Figure 2: Ichthyosis of the lower limbs and Xanthomas on Achilles’ tendons
and knee.