Scleroedema of Buschke. An uncommon cause of cardiomyopathy
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British Heart Journal
|September 1, 1970
Insights
Scleroedema of Buschke, a rare skin condition, can affect the heart muscle. This case study shows heart abnormalities improved as skin mucopolysaccharide deposits resolved.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cardiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Scleroedema of Buschke is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by diffuse skin thickening.
- While skin involvement is typical, myocardial (heart muscle) involvement is less common and can lead to significant cardiac dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case of scleroedema of Buschke involving both skin and myocardium.
- To document the clinical course and electrocardiographic changes associated with this rare presentation.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 69-year-old woman diagnosed with scleroedema of Buschke.
- Clinical observation and electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring throughout the disease course.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with widespread skin thickening and significant electrocardiographic abnormalities.
- Cardiac findings gradually improved over an 18-month period.
- Improvement correlated with the resolution of mucopolysaccharide infiltration in the skin.
Conclusions:
- Scleroedema of Buschke can present with myocardial involvement, leading to cardiac abnormalities.
- The cardiac manifestations may be reversible with the clearance of the underlying pathological process in the skin.
Abstract:
A case of scleroedema of Buschke involving skin and myocardium in a 69-year old woman is described. Widespread electrocardiographic abnormalities were present at the height of the disease, which improved over 18 months as the mucopolysaccharide infiltration of the skin cleared.