Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a medical condition usually associated with thickening of the scalp. People show visible folds, ridges or creases on the surface of the top of the scalp. The number of folds can vary from 2 to roughly 10 and are typically soft and spongy. These folds cannot be corrected with pressure. The condition typically affects the central and rear regions of the scalp, but sometimes can involve the entire scalp.
Hair loss can occur over time where the scalp thickens, though hair within any furrows remains normal. Thus far, due to the (apparent) rarity of the condition, limited research exists and causes are as yet undetermined. What is known, is that the condition is not exclusively congenital.
The condition was first reported by Alibert in 1837, who called it cutis sulcata. A clinical description of the condition was provided by Robert in 1843 and was named by Unna in 1907. It has also been called Robert-Unna syndrome, bulldog scalp, corrugated skin, cutis verticis plicata, and pachydermia verticis gyrata.
Video Cutis verticis gyrata
Classifications
CVG is classified according to the presence, or lack of underlying cause. Studies suggest that CVG often occurs in individuals in a secondary form to other ailments. However, the condition can also be present on its own. CVG can be classified into two forms: 'primary' (essential and non-essential) and 'secondary'.
The classifications are:
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- Primary essential
- Primary non-essential
- Secondary
Primary essential CVG is where the cause of the condition in unknown. It has no other associated abnormalities. This occurs mainly in men, with a male:female ratio of 5 or 6:1, and develops during or soon after puberty. Because of the slow progression of the condition, which usually occurs without symptom, it often passes unnoticed in the early stage
Primary non essential CVG can be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, seizures and ophthalmologic abnormalities, most commonly cataracts.
Secondary CVG occurs as a consequence of a number of diseases or drugs that produce changes in scalp structure. These include: acromegaly (excessive growth hormone levels due to pituitary gland tumours), excessive drug use that mimics acromegaly (including the injection of growth hormone itself and drugs that stimulate growth hormone output, such as GHRP-6 and CJC-1295), melanocytic naevi (moles), birthmarks (including connective tissue naevi, fibromas and naevus lipomatosus), and inflammatory processes (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, Darier disease, folliculitis, impetigo, atopic dermatitis, acne).
Maps Cutis verticis gyrata
Cause
At this time, causes are unknown, but it's said it is not congenital.
Diagnosis
There is no diagnosis as yet for Cutis verticis gyrata (CVH), but it can generally be found out by self, when the person is applying oil to the scalp or getting the hair fully shaven. The ripples are present either in identical form, mostly in the posterior direction, sometimes horizontally also, but it looks more like the ripples of the brain.
There is no clinical diagnosis for CVG as these cases are rarely seen and is often comorbid with other conditions.
Treatment
There is no 'cure' for this condition and currently, medical treatment is limited to plastic surgery with excision of the folds by means of scalp reduction/surgical resection. Scalp subcision has also been suggested as a treatment. Additional suggestions also include injections of a dermal filler i.e. Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid)
See also
- Skin lesion
- List of cutaneous conditions
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Nguyen NQ (October 2003). "Cutis verticis gyrata". Dermatol. Online J. 9 (4): 32. PMID 14594605.
Source of the article : Wikipedia