Cutis Verticis Gyrata – Ondulations In The Scalp Skin

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CVG Disease

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a rare disease. Manifests itself with ondulation of the head skin (scalp). Eventually head and forehead skin may get the appearance resembling the brain.

Cause (Etiology)

The cause of this disease is not exactly understood. Most of the time it begins spontaneously without any reason. On the other hand some cases can be found with other pathologies. Some of them are:

  • Previous accidents
  • Some skin tumors
  • Cancers
  • Diabetes
  • Brain diseases
  • Endocrine system disorders
  • Some drug treatments
  • Psychological disorders

Age and gender

CVG is more common in males. It may be seen at any age but it usually begins after puberty and before 30. Although it is rare globally it is relatively common in Sicilians. It is also seen more in mental retardation cases and psychiatric patients treated in hospitals. It is more common in males. This may be related to the long hairs of the women which may obscure the mild cases of CVG. If we give a ratio one man from 100 thousand  and one woman from 10 million  have this disease.

Treatment

There are no specific measurements to treat or stop the progress of this disease. On the other hand some symptomatic treatments are possible. In severe cases skin care and hygiene may prevent infections. In case of infections antibiotics and anti inflammatory drugs are helpful. Some patients (especially male ones) may have serious psychological problems with these folds and may seek some kind of treatment to correct them. Until recently, surgery was the only option for cosmetic treatment of this condition. However surgery of the scalp is always serious because of the enormous blood supply of this area and there is no standard surgical treatment. If small affected areas may be removed and closed primarily. If large areas are involved, staged operations may be necessary. The success of the surgical treatment mostly depends on the experience of the surgeon.

Prof. Ozgentas have begun to apply non invasive or less invasive treatments for primary and non progressing CVG. He injects collagen dissolving agents into the abnormal areas. This treatment gives promising results in a couple of weeks and can be repeated a couple of months intervals. However this treatment may not be effective in severe deformities.

Conclusion

CVG disease is the abbreviation of Cutis Verticis Gyrata disease. Usually this disease is not dangerous or fatal. On the other hand it may cause serious cosmetic and psychological disturbances. Treatment is limited to the correction of appearance and can be done by some injections into the folds and furrows in mild lesions and by surgery in severe lesions.