eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Photo-Related Diseases

Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)

Author: Robert P Feinstein, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 19, 2009

Introduction

Background

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 Favre1 and reviewed in detail by Favre and Racouchot in 1951.2

Pathophysiology

This syndrome is limited to the skin. No internal manifestations occur.

Frequency

United States

In the United States and worldwide, this disorder has been reported to occur in 6% of adults older than 50 years.

Mortality/Morbidity

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.3

Race

This disorder is found most commonly in whites, but isolated cases have been reported in dark-skinned people.

Sex

Males are affected much more commonly, but cases have been reported in women.

Age

Middle-aged to elderly individuals mostly are affected, although reports of young adults developing the problem exist.

Clinical

History

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.

Physical

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.4

Causes

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.5,6

More on Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)

Overview: Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)
Treatment & Medication: Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)
Follow-up: Favre-Racouchot Syndrome (Nodular Elastosis With Cysts and Comedones)
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Favre M. Sur une kystique des appareils pilo-sebaces localis ertaines r'ons de la face. Bull Soc Fr Dermatol Syph. 1932;39:93-6.

  2. Favre M, Racouchot J. [Nodular cutaneous elasteidosis with cysts and comedones.]. Ann Dermatol Syphiligr (Paris). Nov-Dec 1951;78(6):681-702. [Medline].

  3. Keough GC, Laws RA, Elston DM. Favre-Racouchot syndrome: a case for smokers' comedones. Arch Dermatol. Jun 1997;133(6):796-7. [Medline].

  4. Patterson WM, Fox MD, Schwartz RA. Favre-Racouchot disease. Int J Dermatol. Mar 2004;43(3):167-9. [Medline].

  5. Breit S, Flaig MJ, Wolff H, Plewig G. Favre-Racouchot-like disease after radiation therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jul 2003;49(1):117-9. [Medline].

  6. Friedman SJ, Su WP. Favre-Racouchot syndrome associated with radiation therapy. Cutis. Mar 1983;31(3):306-10. [Medline].

  7. Adams BB, Chetty VB, Mutasim DF. Periorbital comedones and their relationship to pitch tar: a cross-sectional analysis and a review of the literature. J Am Acad Dermatol. Apr 2000;42(4):624-7. [Medline].

  8. Morgan MB, Stevens GL, Somach S. Multiple follicular cysts, infundibular type with vellus hairs and solar elastosis of the ears: a new dermatoheliosis?. J Cutan Pathol. Jan 2003;30(1):29-31. [Medline].

  9. Lewis KG, Bercovitch L, Dill SW, Robinson-Bostom L. Acquired disorders of elastic tissue: part I. Increased elastic tissue and solar elastotic syndromes. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jul 2004;51(1):1-21; quiz 22-4. [Medline].

  10. Sanchez-Yus E, del Rio E, Simon P, Requena L, Vazquez H. The histopathology of closed and open comedones of Favre-Racouchot disease. Arch Dermatol. Jun 1997;133(6):743-5. [Medline].

  11. Kligman AM, Plewig G, Mills OH Jr. Topically applied tretinoin for senile (solar) comedones. Arch Dermatol. Oct 1971;104(4):420-1. [Medline].

  12. Sharkey MJ, Keller RA, Grabski WJ, McCollough ML. Favre-Racouchot syndrome. A combined therapeutic approach. Arch Dermatol. May 1992;128(5):615-6. [Medline].

  13. English DT, Martin GC, Reisner JE. Dermabrasion for nodular cutaneous elastosis with cysts and comedones. Favre-Racouchot syndrome. Arch Dermatol. Jul 1971;104(1):92-3. [Medline].

  14. Mohs FE, McCall MW, Greenway HT. Curettage for removal of the comedones and cysts of the Favre-Racouchot syndrome. Arch Dermatol. May 1982;118(5):365-6. [Medline].

  15. Jansen T, Plewig G. Favre-Racouchot Syndrome. Clin Dermatol. 1975;Unit 4-44:1-4.

  16. Plewig G, Kligman AM. Acne and Rosacea. Munich, Germany: Universitat Munchen; 1993:79-81, 83, 93, 97, 113, 119, 121, 129, 396.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

l'élasteïdose cutanée nodulaire à kystes et à comédons, nodular cutaneous elastoidosis with cysts and comedones, senile comedones, solar comedones, smoker's comedones

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert P Feinstein, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Robert P Feinstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

James W Patterson, MD, Director of Dermatopathology, Professor of Pathology and Dermatology, Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of Virginia Medical Center
James W Patterson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society of Dermatopathology, Medical Society of Virginia, Royal Society of Medicine, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Edward F Chan, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD, Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System
William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: elsevier Royalty Other; american college of physicians Honoraria Other

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.