Gnatophyma: a rare variant of phyma

[Signs and symptoms of rosacea]

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by outbreaks of exacerbation and remission. The diagnosis of rosacea based on specific clinical criteria, mainly centrofacial erythema occurring between 30 and 50 years. The disease predominates in women, in light phototype, especially from Northern Europe. Several classifications of the disease exist. In France, Edouard Grosshans described four stages. Stage I is that of flushing, stage II is that of erythrocouperosis, stage III papules and pustules and stage IV rhinophyma. German schools described only 3 stages, like experts from the National Rosacea Society (NRS), who described four subtypes: • 1. erythematotelangiectatic rosacea; • 2. papulopustular rosacea; • 3. phymas; • 4. ocular rosacea. The patient can enter the disease at any stage. CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ROSACEA: Stage I (flushes) sometimes starts very early at the age of 20 years by the occurrence of paroxysmal facial erythema that might be associated with conjunctival hyperemia. Flushes occur after meals, sudden change in temperature or absorption of alcohol or hot drinks. Stage II or erythrocouperosis comprises permanent facial erythema with telangiectasia. Stage III is the most characteric of the disease. On the erythematous background patient develop outbreak of papules and pustules. Stage IV is mainly observed in males and is characterized mainly by rhinophyma. There is no consensus regarding the description of the other variants. NRS describe a particular subtype, granulomatous or lupoid rosacea, characterized by yellowish or brownish papules of the cheeks and peri-orificial areas. Ocular rosacea is common and should be systematically looked for in all patients with rosacea. Steroid rosacea is a complication of topical corticosteroids use on the face. Fulminant rosacea occurs abruptly in young women, who develop papules, pustules and deep purulent sinuses. Treatment includes the combination of systemic corticosteroids and isotretinoin. Rosacea is also possible in children. Clinical knowledge of rosacea and its clinical forms is essential for appropriate treatment, that can change the patients'life.

Gnatophyma--a rare form of rosacea

Phyma is the last stage of rosacea and is due to chronic inflammation and edema. It can affect nose (rhinophyma), chin (gnatophyma), forehead (metophyma), ears (otophyma) and eyelids (blepharophyma). Rhinophyma is the most frequent location and there are few reports about gnatophyma. We report the case of a female patient, 41 years old, who had an infiltrated, erythematous, edematous plaque around the chin and lower lip for two years. Histopathology showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate, hypertrophied follicles and sebaceous glands, dilated vessels and fibrosis. She was treated with oral tetracycline, oral ivermectin and metronidazole cream with a satisfactory response. The clinical, histopathological and therapeutic response correlation confirmed the diagnosis of gnatophyma, a rare variant of phyma.