Scleroedema of Buschke in Conjunction with Ovarian Carcinoma: Rare Association of a Rare Disease

Scleroedema is a rare clinical condition characterised by diffuse woody induration of skin commonly associated with diabetes mellitus, infections and monoclonal gammopathy. Its association with ovarian malignancy has not been reported. We report a case of a 56-year-old female with rapidly progressing skin thickening of limbs, face and trunk for 1 year and abdominal distension for 3 months. Patient had thickened skin, mask-like facies and ascites on examination. Atypical cells were seen in ascitic fluid. Contrast-enhanced computerised axial tomography scan of abdomen was suggestive of ovarian malignancy. Markers for autoimmune disorders were negative. CA 125 was elevated. Other causes of sclerodermiform-like syndrome were ruled out. Histopathology of skin biopsy was definitive of scleroedema. Diagnosis of scleroedema associated with ovarian malignancy was made based on temporal association, exclusion of other causes and histopathological findings. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of scleroedema associated with ovarian tumour.