Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in Adult
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Synopsis
DEB is categorized based on the mode of inheritance: autosomal dominant DEB (DDEB) and autosomal recessive DEB (RDEB). There are currently 14 recognized subtypes of DEB. These variants are classified based on overall severity, clinical phenotype, ultrastructural and antigenic findings, and genotype. Depending on the subtype, DEB may be generalized at birth or during infancy with symptoms diminishing with age (seen with generalized DDEB). Other subtypes may eventually be clinically localized to specific anatomic sites (eg, acral, pretibial, nails) or have unusual distributions (eg, inverse, centripetal). When generalized, DEB rarely may be life-threatening. In addition to blisters, erosions, and crusts, other common cutaneous findings include atrophic scarring, milia, and nail dystrophy. Scarring alopecia of the scalp may also occur.
Extracutaneous complications are common among patients with DEB, most notably those who have severe generalized RDEB (RDEB-sev gen, formerly known as Hallopeau-Siemens RDEB). The extent and severity of these complications vary among DEB subtypes. The most common sites involved include the external eye, oral cavity, esophagus, genitourinary tract, lower gastrointestinal tract, hands and feet, and bone marrow. Ocular manifestations include painful blistering, erosions, and surface scarring, which may lead to blindness. Oral findings include soft tissue scarring of the oral cavity and tongue, which may result in microstomia, and severe secondary caries formation, leading to premature loss of teeth. Gastrointestinal complications include stenosis, strictures, or webbing within the esophagus, chronic erosions within the small intestine (contributing to chronic malabsorption and malnutrition), constipation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and painful anal fissures. Anemia, seen primarily in RDEB-sev gen, is multifactorial and usually severe. Marked growth retardation is seen in severely affected RDEB patients, as is delayed puberty. Progressive mutilating webbing of the fingers and toes (pseudosyndactyly) is common in RDEB, leading to deformities that may grossly impair use of the hands and limit ambulation. Patients with RDEB-sev gen are also at risk of renal failure and dilated cardiomyopathy, either of which may prove fatal.
Blistering is invariably worse in all EB patients during warm weather and may be exacerbated by concurrent systemic illnesses, including infection.
Death may occur in infants and young children with RDEB-sev gen, mainly as a result of sepsis. The majority of patients with RDEB, most notably those with RDEB-sev gen, develop cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although these SCCs are typically histologically well differentiated, they may have an aggressive disease course. Although RDEB-associated SCCs may very rarely arise in childhood, most do not arise until after the middle or end of the second decade of life.
Related topics: EB simplex, generalized severe EB simplex, junctional EB, Kindler syndrome, EB acquisita
Codes
ICD10CM:Q81.2 – Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica
SNOMEDCT:
254185007 – Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
The differential diagnosis may include:- Other types and subtypes of inherited EB (EB simplex, generalized severe EB simplex, junctional EB, Kindler syndrome)
- Ectodermal dysplasia, including AEC syndrome (ankyloblepharon-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip / palate) and EEC syndrome (ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip / palate)
- Cutaneous porphyrias (see erythropoietic porphyria)
- Incontinentia pigmenti
- Bullous mastocytosis
- Acrodermatitis enteropathica
- Neonatal herpes simplex
- Bullous impetigo
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
The diagnosis of DEB is made clinically in older children or adults based upon constellations of examination findings.
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Last Reviewed:12/08/2019
Last Updated:01/13/2022
Last Updated:01/13/2022
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa in Adult