Title: What Are the Symptoms of CREST Syndrome?
Headings: What Are the Symptoms of CREST Syndrome?
What Are the Symptoms of CREST Syndrome?
What Is CREST Syndrome?
What Are Signs and Symptoms of CREST Syndrome?
What Causes CREST Syndrome?
How Do Doctors Diagnose CREST Syndrome?
What Is the Treatment for CREST Syndrome?
QUESTION
What Are Complications of CREST Syndrome?
What Is the Life Expectancy for CREST Syndrome?
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Content: Imaging studies used to diagnose CREST syndrome (limited scleroderma) include the following: Calcinosis
X-rays
Computed tomography (CT) scans
Bone scans (skeletal scintigraphy with diphosphate compounds)
Videodermatoscopy
Raynaud phenomenon
Doppler ultrasound
Angiography
Esophageal dysmotility
Radiologic barium studies with attention to the esophagus (cine-esophagram)
Fluoroscopy
Radionuclide scanning
Esophageal manometry
Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Biopsy (for Barrett's esophagitis or adenocarcinoma)
Cough or fatigue
Transthoracic echocardiography
Chest X-rays
What Is the Treatment for CREST Syndrome? Treatment for CREST syndrome (limited scleroderma) includes the following: Calcinosis
Simple surgical management, including curettage
Intralesional corticosteroid therapy
Probenecid
Low-dose warfarin (in selected patients with early or mild disease)
Aluminum hydroxide
Low-dose colchicine for local inflammation
Raynaud's phenomenon
Use of good hand and body warming techniques to keep core body and hand temperature elevated
Stop smoking. Calcium channel blockers
Topical nitroglycerin and topical glyceryl trinitrate
Prostaglandin E1, prostacyclin I2, and iloprost (a prostacyclin-I2 analogue) (not FDA approved for this use)
Intravenous infusions of prostacyclin I2 ( epoprostenol) or prostaglandin E1 ( alprostadil)
Oral or intravenous iloprost
Esophageal dysmotility
Behavior changes such as weight loss, elevating the head of the bed, reducing intake of food and drink triggers ( caffeine, alcohol, chocolate ), quitting smoking, avoiding eating just before lying down, eating small meals
H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine)
Proton-pump inhibitors (if erosive esophagitis is present)
Motility-promoting agents such as cisapride
Esophageal dilatation
Sclerodactyly
Corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), D- penicillamine, IFN-gamma, cyclosporine, and cytostatic drugs have been used with limited success in scleroderma. Skin involvement is usually not severe so it may not need treatment. Telangiectasia
Pulsed-dye laser treatment for facial telangiectasia
Medical treatment with estrogen- progesterone or desmopressin, laser ablation, sclerotherapy for symptomatic gastrointestinal telangiectasia
Depression and anxiety affect a large number of patients so these issues may need treatment. QUESTION
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What Are Complications of CREST Syndrome? Share Your Story
Complications of CREST syndrome (limited scleroderma) include
renal (kidney) involvement and an
increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer.