Pachyonychia congenita responding favorably to a combination of surgical and medical therapies

Dermatol Ther. 2019 Sep;32(5):e13045. doi: 10.1111/dth.13045. Epub 2019 Aug 16.

Abstract

Pachyonychia congenital (PC) is a rare genetic disorder of cornification and is classified into five types on the basis of keratin gene involved. There are no established treatment options available for PC. Sirolimus in both topical and oral form has been studied in management of PC. We report a young female with a novel genetic mutation in KRT6A gene who presented with painful palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and onychogryphosis, which was cosmetically disfiguring. She was prescribed oral sirolimus after all investigations. There was significant improvement in pain within a week. Pain relief was sustained at 1 year follow-up with topical treatment only. Serial nail avulsion surgeries were also done with showed significant cosmetic improvement in the nails. Medical therapies can be combined with surgery for a better cosmetic outcome and improvement in patient quality of life.

Keywords: novel mutation; pachyonychia congenita; sirolimus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Keratin-6 / genetics*
  • Mutation
  • Nails / surgery*
  • Nicotinic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Pachyonychia Congenita / genetics*
  • Pachyonychia Congenita / therapy*
  • Rare Diseases
  • Salicylic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Sirolimus / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • KRT6A protein, human
  • Keratin-6
  • Nicotinic Acids
  • tazarotene
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Sirolimus