Favre-Racouchot Syndrome

 

 

 

(Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and

 

 

Comedones)

Favre-Racouchot syndrome is a disorder consisting of multiple open and closed comedones in the presence of actinically damaged skin. The disease was originally described in 1932 by Favre and reviewed in detail by Favre and Racouchot in 1951 This syndrome is limited to the skin. No internal manifestations occur.

Favre-Racouchot syndrome is of cosmetic concern. It is an indication that the individual has had chronic excessive exposure to UV light. It is also strongly associated with heavy cigarette smoking. This disorder is found most commonly in whites, but isolated cases have been reported in dark-skinned people.Males are affected much more commonly, but cases have been reported in women.Middle-aged to elderly individuals mostly are affected, although reports of young adults developing the problem exist.

The patient will relate considerable sun exposure over a long period of time. Recent evidence suggests that the association with smoking is even stronger than the association with sun exposure. Rarely, the patient will mention a past experience of radiation therapy.

Multiple open and closed comedones are present in the periorbital and temporal areas. Rarely, the lateral neck, postauricular areas, and forearms may be involved. Marked actinically damaged skin with yellowish discoloration, yellowish nodules, atrophy, wrinkles, and furrows are present. The eruption is usually bilaterally symmetrical, although one side may predominate, particularly if that side experienced greater sun exposure. No inflammation is present, unlike the comedones seen in acne vulgaris.

Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is unknown, it develops in individuals with a heavy smoking history and chronic exposure to UV light.³ The disorder also may follow exposure to radiation therapy.