Dermatologic Manifestations of Menkes Kinky Hair Disease Workup

  • Author: Suguru Imaeda, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • The serum copper level is low in patients with Menkes kinky hair syndrome.
  • The serum ceruloplasmin level is low.
  • Copper accumulation may be observed in cultured cells (useful mainly for prenatal diagnosis).
  • Copper levels in the intestines, kidney, and skin fibroblasts are within the reference range or high.
  • Copper levels in the liver, brain, and endothelial cells are low.
  • Urine homovanillic/vanillylmandelic acid ratio of greater than 4 is strongly suggestive of Menkes disease and can be used as a screening method, especially in early infancy. Impaired activity of dopamine beta-hydroxylase, a copper-dependent enzyme, leads to increased homovanillic acid levels.[18]
  • Urinalysis can be performed to investigate for hypercalciuria, albuminuria, aminoaciduria, and a high rate of beta2 microglobulin excretion.[19]
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Imaging Studies

  • Radiography of the long bones and skull may be performed.
  • Angiography or magnetic resonance angiography may be performed.
  • Findings include metaphyseal widening of the femur and ribs, tibial and femoral spurs, and wormian bones of the skull.
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Histologic Findings

Light microscopy shows hairs with pili torti that twist along the longitudinal axis. The twisting of the hair fiber creates the illusion of wide and narrow areas along the hair shaft similar to the nodes of monilethrix. Trichorrhexis nodosa also is commonly seen.

Electron microscopy of the skin shows that the diameter of dermal collagen fibrils is decreased and that sparse, amorphous elastin fibers are present.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Suguru Imaeda, MD  Chief of Dermatology, Yale University Health Services; Chief of Dermatology, West Haven Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine

Suguru Imaeda, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Connecticut State Medical Society, Sigma Xi, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Mark A Crowe, MD  Assistant Clinical Instructor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Mark A Crowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and North American Clinical Dermatologic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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