Author: Dr Emily Ryder, Dermatology Registrar, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand; Chief Editor: Dr Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, 2014. Updated by Dr Lisa Connelly, Dermatologist, New Plymouth, New Zealand, July 2017.
What is cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is an uncommon congenitalcapillary vascular malformation. It should not be confused with cutis marmorata, a normal physiologic skin mottling in cool environments.
Who gets cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is rare. It is usually sporadic, and family members are unaffected. However, several members of a family may occasionally have CMTC.
What causes cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
The cause of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is unknown but is likely to be a geneticmutation. A possible variation in the ARL6IP6gene has been suggested.
What are the clinical features of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is present at birth. It is characterised by fixed patches of mottled skin with a net-like or reticulate blue to pale purple patches (livedo reticularis). Unlike physiologicalcutis marmorata, the marks do not fade with warming.
CMTC may appear indented due to dermalatrophy (loss of dermis). Atrophy of the epidermis and rarely ulceration may also occur. It is most commonly associated with ipsilateral limb hypotrophy (smaller, shorter limb).
Macrocephaly–CMTC has been renamed macrocephaly–capillary malformation (MCM) since skin lesions in MCM represent reticulatedport wine stains rather than cutis marmorata.
How is the diagnosis of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita made?
Diagnosis of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is usually based on the identification of the specific skin appearances by an experienced dermatologist or paediatrician.
Management of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita
There is no specific treatment for the skin lesions of cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita.
Affected children with limb length discrepancies should be monitored with standing leg-length radiographs at the age of 10 (girls) or 12 (boys), or if the limb length discrepancy is greater or equal to 2 cm. Orthopaedic referral is advised for limb length discrepancies over 2 cm for epiphysiodesis (fusion of bone growth plate) and surgical consideration.
What is the outcome for cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita?
Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita slowly fades over the first years of life.
References
Ponnurangam VN1, Paramasivam V1.Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014 Jan;5(1):80-2. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.126042. PubMed
Memarzadeh A, Pengas S, Eastwood D.M. Limb length discrepancy in cutis marmorata telangiectasia congenita: an audit of assessment and management in a multidisciplinary setting. Br J of Dermatol. 2013 Mar;170(3):681-6. doi 10.1111/bd.12700. PubMed.
Rucker Wright D, Frieden I, Orlow S, Shin H, Chamlin S, Schaffer J, Paller A. The misnomer “Macrocephaly-cutis marmorata telangiectasia congénita syndrome” report of 12 new cases and support for revising the name to macrocephaly-capillary malformation. Arch Dermatol. 2009 Mar; 145(3):287-293. doi:10.1001/archdermatol.2008 545. PubMed.