Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Author’s Response
Brief Report
Case Report
Editorial
Erratum
Guest Editorial
History
Image
Images in Clinical Practice
Invited Commentary
JSSTD Symposium
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Media and News
Net Case
Net Consensus Statement
Net Educational Video for Residents
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz in Dermatology
Obituary
Original Article
Quiz in Dermatology
Resident’s Page
Review Article
Study Letter
Study Letter Case Series
Symposium
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Author’s Response
Brief Report
Case Report
Editorial
Erratum
Guest Editorial
History
Image
Images in Clinical Practice
Invited Commentary
JSSTD Symposium
Letter in Response to Previous Publication
Letter to Editor
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor - Study Letter
Media and News
Net Case
Net Consensus Statement
Net Educational Video for Residents
Net Image
Net Images
Net Letter
Net Quiz in Dermatology
Obituary
Original Article
Quiz in Dermatology
Resident’s Page
Review Article
Study Letter
Study Letter Case Series
Symposium
View/Download PDF

Translate this page into:

Net Case
3 (
2
); 192-194
doi:
10.25259/JSSTD_18_2021

Cerebriform intradermal nevus presenting as cutis verticis gyrata: A rarity

Department of Radiodiagnosis, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Department of Dermatology, KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Department of Dermatology, IQRAA Community Hospital, Malappuram, Kerala, India
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India.

*Corresponding author: Dr. Najeeba Riyaz, Professor and Head, Department of Dermatology, KMCT Medical College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India. najeebaderm@gmail.com

Licence
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as the author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

How to cite this article: Juvaina P, Riyaz N, Arakkal FR, Arakkal R. Cerebriform Intradermal Nevus Presenting as Cutis Verticis Gyrata: A Rarity. J Skin Sex Transm Dis 2021;3:192-4.

Abstract

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare skin disorder characterized by cerebriform appearance of the scalp with convoluted folds and deep furrows. Cerebriform intradermal nevus (CIDN) is one of the rare causes of CVG. We report a case of CIDN presenting as CVG on the left parietal area of scalp since birth in a 15-year-old girl. She had no neurological or ophthalmologic manifestations or any other cutaneous lesions.

Keywords

Cerebriform intradermal nevus
Computed tomogram
Cutis verticis gyrata
Histopathology
Rare presentation

INTRODUCTION

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) also known as cutis verticis plicata, paquidermia verticis gyrata, and “bulldog” scalp syndrome, is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by cerebriform appearance of the scalp skin with convoluted folds and deep furrows.[1,2] It may affect the whole scalp or may be localized to one area.

It was originally described by Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert in 1837 and the term CVG was proposed by Unna in 1907. In 1953, Polan and Butterworth classified CVG into primary and secondary.[1] The primary is subdivided into primary essential without any comorbidities,[1] and non-essential form with ophthalmological and neurological manifestations.[1,3] The secondary form is associated with cerebriform intradermal nevus, pituitary tumors, pachydermoperiostosis,[1,4] and various syndromes.[5,6]

CASE REPORT

A 15-year-old girl with good scholastic performance presented with thickening and pigmentation of the left half of scalp since birth. The lesion started as a pigmented alopecic flat lesion at birth. It started increasing in size and became a raised lesion by 5 years and gradually reached the present size. There was no family history of similar lesions. She had no history of seizures or visual disturbances. Dermatological examination revealed a well-defined pigmented, cerebriform plaque in the left parietal area of size 13 × 12 cm with convolutions on the surface and sparse hair [Figure 1]. She had no other cutaneous lesions. Ophthalmologic and neurologic evaluations and routine blood tests were normal.

A well-defined pigmented, cerebriform plaque of cerebriform intradermal nevus in the left parietal area of size 13 × 12 cm with sparse hair and convolutions on the surface.
Figure 1:
A well-defined pigmented, cerebriform plaque of cerebriform intradermal nevus in the left parietal area of size 13 × 12 cm with sparse hair and convolutions on the surface.

Histopathology showed mild hyperkeratosis, and a well-circumscribed lesion involving the upper and mid dermis composed of closely arranged small nests of nevus cells with moderate amount of cytoplasm and melanin without atypia, increased mitosis or junctional activity, suggestive of intradermal nevus [Figure 2].

Skin biopsy from cerebriform intradermal nevus showing a well-circumscribed lesion involving the upper and mid dermis composed of closely arranged small nests of nevus cells with moderate amount of cytoplasm and melanin without atypia, increased mitosis or junctional activity (H and E, 100×); inset: Higher magnification of the same specimen (H and E, 400×).
Figure 2:
Skin biopsy from cerebriform intradermal nevus showing a well-circumscribed lesion involving the upper and mid dermis composed of closely arranged small nests of nevus cells with moderate amount of cytoplasm and melanin without atypia, increased mitosis or junctional activity (H and E, 100×); inset: Higher magnification of the same specimen (H and E, 400×).

Ultrasound examination of the scalp showed thickened skin and subcutaneous tissue with absence of color uptake, thus ruling out any underlying vascular malformation [Figure 3a]. Contrast CT (computed tomography) brain with 3D surface rendering showed a non-enhancing circumscribed wavy scalp thickening with tiny specks of calcifications involving the left parietal region with normal calvarium and brain parenchyma [Figures 3b and c]. Thus, a final diagnosis of CIDN presenting as cutis verticis gyrata was made.

(a) Ultrasound examination of the scalp showing thickened skin and subcutaneous tissue with absence of color uptake thus ruling out underlying vascular malformation in a patient with cerebriform intradermal nevus. (b) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of brain of the same patient showing non-enhancing circumscribed wavy scalp thickening with tiny specks of calcifications involving left parietal region with normal calvarium and brain parenchyma. (c) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of brain with 3D surface rendering of the same patient showing non-enhancing circumscribed wavy scalp thickening with tiny specks of calcifications involving left parietal region with normal calvarium and brain parenchyma.
Figure 3:
(a) Ultrasound examination of the scalp showing thickened skin and subcutaneous tissue with absence of color uptake thus ruling out underlying vascular malformation in a patient with cerebriform intradermal nevus. (b) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of brain of the same patient showing non-enhancing circumscribed wavy scalp thickening with tiny specks of calcifications involving left parietal region with normal calvarium and brain parenchyma. (c) Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of brain with 3D surface rendering of the same patient showing non-enhancing circumscribed wavy scalp thickening with tiny specks of calcifications involving left parietal region with normal calvarium and brain parenchyma.

DISCUSSION

Cutis verticis gyrata is a very rare condition, the prevalence being 1 in 100,000.[7] Cerebriform intradermal nevus (CIDN) is a rare cutaneous disorder that can cause secondary CVG. Clinically, CIDN is characterized by a well-demarcated cerebriform plaque, usually on the parietal area of the scalp.[8,9]

The first case of CVG secondary to CIDN on the scalp was reported by Hammon and Ransom in 1937.[9] A case of CIDN, similar to our case, characterized by a pigmented plaque with alopecia on the left parietal and temporal areas of the scalp with typical histology showing solitary and clusters of nevus cells in the dermis has been reported by Alcántara González et al.[8] Some authors believe that CIDN is a rare form of congenital melanocytic nevus due to the clinical and histological similarities. Congenital melanocytic nevi are pigmented lesions which arise as malformations of the neuroectoderm and neural elements, following deregulated growth, and arrest of melanocytes during migration from the neural crest to the skin.[10] However, others suggest that CIDN is a separate disorder with a few nevus cell nests at the dermoepidermal junction, associated with alopecia or sparse hair within the lesion.[7,8]

There are also reports of giant congenital nevi with intense pigmentation, increased number of hair follicles, and frequent nevus cell nests at the dermoepidermal junction presenting as CVG.[7,9] As malignant melanoma has been reported in patients with congenital nevus, regular follow-up is mandatory in all cases of CIDN.[10]

Since our patient was very much concerned about the cosmetic appearance of the lesion, a plastic surgical correction was done. She was lost for follow-up after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Cerebriform intradermal nevus presenting as CVG is a rarity. Histopathology helps to confirm the diagnosis. Ultrasound examination of the scalp and CT brain often help to rule out any underlying vascular malformation.

Declaration of patient consent

Not required as patients identity is not disclosed or compromised.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

Dr. Najeeba Riyaz is on the editorial board of the Journal.

References

  1. , , , , . Primary essential cutis verticis gyrata-case report. An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89:326-8.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. , , , . Congenital primary essential cutis verticis gyrata. Eplasty. 2016;16:ic13.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. , , . Cutis verticis gyrata. Int J Dermatol. 1991;30:710-2.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. , . Cutis verticis gyrata as a marker of internal malignancy. Arch Dermatol. 1989;125:434-5.
    [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
  5. , , , , . Asymptomatic cerebriform folds of the scalp. Diagnosis: Primary cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) Hautarzt. 2007;58:1058-61.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. , . Cutis verticis gyrata: Three cases with different aetiologies that demonstrate the classification system. Australas J Dermatol. 2007;48:91-4.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. , , , . Lobulated mass on the back of the scalp. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2012;78:225-7.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. , , , , . Letter: Cerebriform intradermal nevus presenting as secondary cutis verticis gyrata. Dermatol Online J. 2010;16:14.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. , , , . Cerebriform intradermal naevus (a rare form of secondary cutis verticis gyrata) J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2002;16:529-31.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. . Congenital melanocytic nevi. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2010;57:1155-76.
    [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Fulltext Views
10,711

PDF downloads
2,505
View/Download PDF
Download Citations
BibTeX
RIS
Show Sections