Imaging Studies

Perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) in cutis verticis gyrata presenting at birth or when associated with mental retardation and neurologic and/or ophthalmologic abnormalities to determine or exclude any structural brain abnormalities.^{[63, 64, 65]}Some authors suggest a standard anteroposterior skull film with soft-tissue technique, which may be helpful for making the diagnosis in subtle cases.

In CT scanning, thickening of the skin and subcutaneous fat and irregularly distributed cutaneous folds can be observed. Changes, such as cortical-subcortical atrophy, a dilated ventricular system, abnormal brain calcifications, bone changes, or an intracranial tumor, were also demonstrated in patients with cutis verticis gyrata. In patients with acromegaly and cutis verticis gyrata, enlarged sellae with enhancing intrasellar masses were present.^{[5, 66, 67]}

In MRI, severe abnormality of the occipital lobes, bilateral polymicrogyria, small frontal and anterior temporal lobes, parietal and occipital cortex atrophy, colpocephaly, hypoplastic splenium of the corpus callosum, and atrophy of the cerebellar cortex were described.^{[68, 69]}

In essential primary cutis verticis gyrata, MRIs reveal thickened dermis and a slight increase in the volume of subcutaneous fat.^{[64, 70]}

Treatment & Management

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Media Gallery

Cutis verticis gyrata. Courtesy of DermNet New Zealand (http://www.dermnetnz.org/assets/Uploads/dermal-infiltrative/cvg2.jpg).

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Author

Malgorzata D Skibinska, MD, PhD Senior Lecturer, Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Oncology, Medical University of Łódź; Consultant Dermatologist and Allergist, Private Practice, Łódź, Poland

Malgorzata D Skibinska, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Polish Dermatological Society, Royal College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Camila K Janniger, MD Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Dermatology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Camila K Janniger, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH Professor and Head of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

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

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Daniel J Hogan, MD Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, Canadian Dermatology Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Cutis Verticis Gyrata Workup

Imaging Studies

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