U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Pachyonychia congenita syndrome(PC)

MedGen UID:
78556
Concept ID:
C0265334
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Congenital pachyonychia; PC
SNOMED CT: Pachyonychia congenita syndrome (39427000); Congenital pachyonychia (39427000); Pachyonychia congenita (39427000)
Modes of inheritance:
Autosomal dominant inheritance
MedGen UID:
141047
Concept ID:
C0443147
Intellectual Product
Source: Orphanet
A mode of inheritance that is observed for traits related to a gene encoded on one of the autosomes (i.e., the human chromosomes 1-22) in which a trait manifests in heterozygotes. In the context of medical genetics, an autosomal dominant disorder is caused when a single copy of the mutant allele is present. Males and females are affected equally, and can both transmit the disorder with a risk of 50% for each child of inheriting the mutant allele.
 
Related genes: KRT17, KRT16, KRT6B, KRT6A
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0016471
OMIM® Phenotypic series: PS167200
Orphanet: ORPHA2309

Disease characteristics

Excerpted from the GeneReview: Pachyonychia Congenita
Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is characterized by hypertrophic nail dystrophy, painful palmoplantar keratoderma and blistering, oral leukokeratosis, pilosebaceous cysts (including steatocystoma and vellus hair cysts), palmoplantar hyperhydrosis, and follicular keratoses on the trunk and extremities. [from GeneReviews]
Authors:
Frances JD Smith  |  C David Hansen  |  Peter R Hull, et. al.   view full author information

Additional description

From MedlinePlus Genetics
Pachyonychia congenita is a condition that primarily affects the skin and nails. The signs and symptoms of this condition usually become apparent within the first few years of life.

Almost everyone with pachyonychia congenita develops very painful calluses on the soles of the feet. This condition is known as plantar keratoderma. Calluses usually begin to form on the feet in childhood when kids first start to walk. The calluses can make walking painful or impossible. In some affected individuals, blisters, bundles of blood vessels and nerves (neurovascular structures), or a deep itch may develop under or near the calluses, increasing pain and discomfort.

Most people with pachyonychia congenita also show some signs of hypertrophic nail dystrophy, which causes the fingernails and toenails to become thick and abnormally shaped. The number of affected nails varies.

Pachyonychia congenita can have several additional features. These features include thickened skin on the palms of the hands (palmar keratoderma), which can be painful; thick, white patches on the tongue and inside of the cheeks (oral leukokeratosis); bumps that develop around hair follicles (follicular keratoses) on the elbows, knees, and waistline; cysts in the armpits, groin, back, or scalp; and excessive sweating on the palms and soles (palmoplantar hyperhidrosis).

Researchers used to classigy pachyonychia congenita as either PC-1 or PC-2 based on the genetic cause and pattern of signs and symptoms. However, as more affected individuals were identified, it became clear that the signs and symptoms of the types overlapped considerably. Pachyonychia congenita is now classified into five types based on the gene that is altered.

Some affected individuals also develop widespread cysts called steatocystomas, which are filled with an oily substance called sebum that normally lubricates the skin and hair. Some babies with pachyonychia congenita have prenatal or natal teeth, which are teeth that are present at birth or in early infancy. Some babies and children with pachyonychia congenita have pain in one or both ears when beginning to eat or drink. Pachyonychia congenita can also affect the voice box (larynx), causing hoarseness or breathing problems.   https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/pachyonychia-congenita

Term Hierarchy

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Pinna R, Cocco F, Campus G, Conti G, Milia E, Sardella A, Cagetti MG
Periodontol 2000 2019 Jun;80(1):12-27. doi: 10.1111/prd.12261. PMID: 31090139

Recent clinical studies

Therapy

Bento RF, Guatimosim MH, Bensadon Rde L, Sanchez TG, Voegels RL
J Laryngol Otol 1996 Dec;110(12):1145-7. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100135972. PMID: 9015428

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...