Radiotherapy of benign diseases-scleredema adultorum Buschke.
BACKGROUND
Scleredema adultorum Buschke is a rare disorder characterized by thickening of the dermis of the neck, head and upper trunk. Its etiology is unknown, but there may be a preceding history of infection and there is a known association with diabetes mellitus. Women are more frequently affected. Usually, the disease is self-limiting but some patients show progressive disease. In these cases therapeutic options are poor, with only case reports and small series supporting their use.


METHODS
A 58-year-old patient with a scleredema of the neck and upper trunk is described, who was treated twice within 6 months by electron-beam radiation therapy. After the second course his symptoms improved significantly. A review of the literature of radiation treatment of this disease is given.


CONCLUSIONS
. Regardless of the possible mechanisms in pathogenesis and treatment of scleredema adultorum Buschke, the application of ionizing radiation is an important, effective and well-tolerated therapy option in the treatment of severe cases and may candidate as the first-line treatment of this disease.
Könemann
Stefan
S
Department of Radiotherapy, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany. stkoene@uni-muenster.de
Hesselmann
Stefan
S
Bölling
Tobias
T
Grabbe
Stephan
S
Schuck
Andreas
A
Moustakis
Christos
C
De Simoni
Daniela
D
Willich
Normann
N
Micke
Oliver
O
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*; D012592:Scleredema Adultorum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome