| Theme | Gastrointestinal Tract Disease and Skin Manifestation | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome and Cutaneous Manifestations | |
| Publish Date | 1999/12 | |
| Author | Atsushi Kawaguchi | 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, School of Medicine |
| Author | Shigeaki Nagao | 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, National Defense Medical College, School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is an unknown etiologic generalized gastrointestinal polyposis, with pathologically diagnosed juvenile type polyps. About seventy five cases have been reported in Japan. Clinical manifestations are cutaneous ones ; diffuse alopecia, nail changes (i.e. onychomadesis), onychodystrophy etc., hypogeusia with pigmentation, malabsorption syndrome due to polyposis (i.e. diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia, abdominal pain, edema, and tetanii etc). There is no evidence of genetic transmission. Recently, various medical and surgical measures have been employed in the management of this disease including corticosteroids, dietary supplementation with oral and/or intravenous fluids, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, albumin, lipids, anti-plasmin drugs. These treatments have been achieved good results. Polyps in the alimentary tract as well as cutaneous lesions are diminished or eliminated through the therapy. Other clinical manifestations and nutriotional condition may also be improved. It used to be said that cancer rarely accompanied this disease, but recently associated cancers have been reported and must be given attention. In cases of malabsorption syndrome various symptoms are caused due to maldigestion and/or malabsorption of glucose, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, water, etc.. It is assumed that the cutaneous lesions seen in this syndrome are due to a deficiency in various nutritional elements. |
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