Abstract

TREE MAN SYNDROME - A REVIEW

Tree man syndrome, also known as epidermodysplasia verruciformis is recognized as an inherited disorder, which is a widespread and persistent infection with human Papilloma virus and cause defect in cell mediated immunity. This disorder was first described by Lewandowsky and Lutz in 1922 as an epidermal nevus. It mainly occurs between the age of one to twenty. The main etiology behind this genetic disorder is an inactivating pH mutation in either EVER1 or EVER2 genes, which are located adjacent to one another one chromosome. Tree man’s syndrome is a lifelong disease and only the lesions can be treated or removed as they appear, which will continue to develop throughout the life. Epidermodysplasia verruciformis diagnosis must be initiated upon the appearance of verrucous lesions . No treatment is available to prevent the development of new lesions. The disease can only be managed by the combination of medical and surgical treatment along with patient counselling and education. The patients are advised not to get exposed to sunlight as it may cause the development of skin carcinoma.