AUTHOR AND EDITOR INFORMATION

Section 1 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

INTRODUCTION

Section 2 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

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 Favre and reviewed in detail by Favre and Racouchot in 1951.

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.

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

Section 3 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

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.

Causes

Although the pathogenesis of the disorder is unknown, it develops in individuals with a heavy smoking history and chronic exposure to UV light. The disorder also may follow exposure to radiation therapy.

DIFFERENTIALS

Section 4 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

Other Problems to be Considered

Actinic granuloma
Chronic exposure to pitch tar
Chloracne
Cutis rhomboidalis nuchae
Vellus hair cyst

WORKUP

Section 5 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

Lab Studies

The clinical findings of multiple open and closed comedones with yellowish nodules of elastotic material in a middle-aged to elderly individual are sufficient to establish the diagnosis. In the absence of elastotic nodules, the differential diagnosis includes chloracne. History and porphyrin studies could be helpful.

Histologic Findings

The lesions appear identical to the comedones seen in acne vulgaris. However, the surrounding dermis contains significant actinic elastosis, including nodules of elastin. Although the disorder has been described as containing cysts, many of the apparent cysts really are nodules of elastotic material. Gram-positive bacteria that stain periodic acid-Schiff positive have been noted. The bacteria are probably Propionibacterium acnes. Hair shafts may or may not be found within the comedones.

TREATMENT

Section 6 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

Medical Care

Sun protection may be of benefit in preventing progression. Advise the patient to avoid sun exposure, particularly between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Select sunscreen to provide good protection throughout the UV-A and UV-B range. Sunscreens containing micropulverized titanium dioxide or Parsol 1789 provide the best protection throughout the UV-A range. Smoking cessation also is critical. Application of topical retinoids including tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene in various bases will loosen the comedones and assist in the extraction of individual comedones.

Surgical Care

Comedo extraction is effective. However, these comedones are more difficult to extract than are those seen in acne vulgaris.

• The concomitant use of topical retinoids assists in the extraction process.
• Dermabrasion of the affected area has been reported to produce variable cosmetic results.
• The comedones can be removed via careful curettage with good cosmetic results.
• Chemical peels, laser peels, and staged excision of the involved area have been reported, but the cosmetic result is highly variable.
• Treatment with carbon dioxide laser has been reported.

MEDICATION

Section 7 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

In general, the most effective medication has been the use of topical retinoids including tretinoin, adapalene, or tazarotene in various bases.

Drug Category: Retinoids

Treatment of choice in the elimination of comedones. These medications assist in the removal of the comedones and also may reduce the appearance of actinic damage in the area. More severe cases have been treated with oral isotretinoin, but oral therapy should be reserved for severe cases refractory to topical therapy.

FOLLOW-UP

Section 8 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

Further Outpatient Care

Follow up all cases to note the effect of topical retinoids and for subsequent removal of remaining comedones. Carefully observe the patient to note the development of skin cancers and precancers in view of the association with actinic damage.

Prognosis

Prognosis is excellent, if properly treated.

Patient Education

Strongly advise the patient to avoid sun exposure and to use a sunblock daily, as continued UV damage will aggravate the disorder and potentiate the development of precancers and skin cancers.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9 of 10  

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

Medical/Legal Pitfalls

It is essential for the physician to appreciate the significance of chronic actinic damage and the potential for skin cancers and precancers.

REFERENCES

Section 10 of 10

• Authors and Editors
• Introduction
• Clinical
• Differentials
• Workup
• Treatment
• Medication
• Follow-up
• Miscellaneous
• References

• 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].
• 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].
• English DT, Martin GC, Reisner JE. Dermabrasion for nodular cutaneous elastosis with cysts and comedones. Favre-Racouchot syndrome. Arch Dermatol. 1971;104:92-93. [Medline].
• 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.
• Favre M, Racouchot J. [Nodular cutaneous elasteidosis with cysts and comedones.]. Ann Dermatol Syphiligr (Paris). Nov-Dec 1951;78(6):681-702. [Medline].
• Friedman SJ, Su WP. Favre-Racouchot syndrome associated with radiation therapy. Cutis. Mar 1983;31(3):306-10. [Medline].
• Jansen T, Plewig G. Favre-Racouchot Syndrome. Clin Dermatol. 1975;Unit 4-44:1-4.
• Keough GC, Laws RA, Elston DM. Favre-Racouchot syndrome: a case for smokers' comedones. Arch Dermatol. Jun 1997;133(6):796-7. [Medline].
• Kligman AM, Plewig G, Mills OH Jr. Topically applied tretinoin for senile (solar) comedones. Arch Dermatol. Oct 1971;104(4):420-1. [Medline].
• 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].
• 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].
• 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].
• Patterson WM, Fox MD, Schwartz RA. Favre-Racouchot disease. Int J Dermatol. Mar 2004;43(3):167-9. [Medline].
• Plewig G, Kligman AM. Acne and Rosacea. Germany: Universitat Munchen; 1993:79-81,83,93,97,113,119,121,129,396.
• 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].
• Sharkey MJ, Keller RA, Grabski WJ, McCollough ML. Favre-Racouchot syndrome. A combined therapeutic approach. Arch Dermatol. May 1992;128(5):615-6. [Medline].

Article Last Updated: Dec 5, 2006