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« Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: A Frequently Undiagnosed and Misdiagnosed Disease |
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| Lower Leg Skin Symptoms Can Distinguish Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) From Other Fibrosing Disorders »
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Skin Symptoms Vary Widely for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
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The most common symptom of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a thickening and hardening of the skin, usually on the lower legs or forearms. However, not all people have the same skin symptoms, especially in late stages of the disease.
A recent study that appeared in Archives of Dermatology, an American Medical Association publication, examined 17 patients with NSF late in the disease. Bangsgaard, et al., “Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis; Late Skin Manifestations,” Arch Dermatol. 2009; 145(2):183-187. Complete article available HERE.
All patients showed epidermal atrophy and hairlessness of the affected regions of the skin, primarily on the lower legs. However, the appearance of these skin symptoms varied widely. In most cases, there was thickening and hardening of the skin, as shown in the picture below on the left. But a few of the patients’ skin was wrinkled and “redundant,” as shown in the picture below on the right.
The study also observed that the appearance of skin symptoms could change as the disease progressed. Three patients with NSF had previously shown thickening of the skin. During the next two years, it changed to wrinkled, redundant skin.
As this study makes clear, the appearance of NSF skin symptoms can vary greatly. NSF can only be definitively diagnosed with a deep tissue skin biopsy. A dermatologist should be consulted for this purpose.
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Posted By DeCarli Law on
September 25, 2009 11:08 am |
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