Dermabrasion and Retinoic Acid in the Treatment of Pachyonychia Cogenita

Abstract

A typical case of pachyonychia congenita in a female is presented. Of the sixty cases of pachyonychia congenita reported in the literature, only one case is a female. Cases have been seen in families upto five generations. In our case five family members belonging to two generations manifested the disease. The hyperkeratotic plantar lesions were painful and incapacitating to the patients. With combined dermabrasion and topical retinoic acid the patients were made rapidly ambulatory. This new modality of treatment seemed gratifying in that the symptomatic relief to the patient was excellent.