Skin lesion with a fatal neurologic outcome (Degos' disease)

P. Subbiah, E. Wijdicks, M. Muenter, J. Carter, S. Connolly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Degos' disease, a rare multisystem vasculopathy of unknown etiology, only occasionally involves the nervous system. We report the Mayo Clinic experience of the neurologic features of Degos' disease in a series of 15 patients. All 15 patients had the typical skin lesions of Degos' disease, confirmed by skin biopsy. Ten patients developed neurologic manifestations including fatal hemorrhagic or ischemic strokes (n = 5), disabling polyradiculoneuropathy (n = 1), and nonspecific neurologic symptoms without objective findings (n = 4). Results of laboratory tests varied but none were pathognomonic of the disease. Long-term follow-up revealed death in six patients; nine patients were nearly asymptomatic. Immunosuppressive and antiplatelet agents were not of benefit. CNS infarcts and hemorrhages with intravascular thrombi, but without evidence of vasculitis, were characteristic features at autopsy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)636-640
Number of pages5
JournalNeurology
Volume46
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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