Encephalocraniocutaneous Lipomatosis (ECCL), also known as Haberland Syndrome, is a rare and sporadic genetic condition characterized by congenital alterations that simultaneously affect the skin, eyes, and central nervous system.1,2 This association of manifestations in different systems reflects its inclusion in the group of phakomatoses, a heterogeneous set of genetic diseases that share cutaneous, ophthalmological, and neurological anomalies, frequently accompanied by developmental dysplasias and a predisposition to the emergence of tumors.3

The pathogenesis is attributed to post-zygotic somatic mutations in genes such as FGFR1, KRAS, and NRAS, which promote aberrant activation of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway. This process results in mosaicism and ectodermal dysgenesis, explaining the asymmetrical distribution and heterogeneity of clinical manifestations.2 Genetic alterations also compromise vasculogenesis, favoring the presence of dysmorphic intracranial vessels, in addition to predisposing to the development of mesenchymal tumors, such as lipomas. One of the most characteristic skin lesions is nevus psiloliparus—a patch of softened alopecia, preferentially located on the scalp, consisting of ectopic mature adipose tissue in the dermis and absence of hair follicles and cutaneous appendages.2,4

Due to the sharing of the RAS-MAPK pathway with other RASopathies, such as Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), it is possible to observe some similar cutaneous findings in ECCL, such as café-au-lait spots.1,2 This report identified axillary freckles, a finding not yet documented in cases of ECCL, but which can be explained by the same pathogenic mechanism. The diagnosis of ECCL is challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical presentations and the rarity of the condition, often requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion and a multidisciplinary approach for confirmation.

A five-year-old male patient was referred to the pediatric dermatology clinic with patches of alopecia on the scalp, especially in the vertex and right parietal regions, accompanied by ocular anomalies present since birth. There was also a history of delayed neuropsychomotor development, episodes of seizures, behavioral changes, and a diagnosis of hydrocephalus at three months of age, requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. In addition, the patient was under ophthalmological follow-up, having already undergone ocular surgery for partial excision of epibulbar lipodermoid—a benign congenital ocular choristoma, that is, a malformation consisting of normal tissue in an anomalous location, in this case, ectopic adipose tissue in the bulbar conjunctiva (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.

(A) Aplasia cutis over a normochromic alopecia patch in the vertex region; (B) Ipsilateral ocular lipodermoids and low-set right ear.

On physical examination, a heterogeneous alopecic plaque was identified on the scalp, located in the vertex region, with areas of atrophy and others with a softened consistency, similar to adipose tissue, with a clinical appearance compatible with nevus psiloliparus (Fig. 1). The histopathology of one portion of the lesion was suggestive of aplasia cutis. The presence of freckles in the axillary region ipsilateral to the ocular and neurological findings was also observed (Fig. 2). Other anomalies, such as craniosynostosis of the sagittal suture, short stature, low hairline in a "V" shape in the posterior cervical region, low-set right ear with a folded helix, thin lips with eversion of the upper lip, and overlapping fingers, compatible with clinodactyly, were also evidenced. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple intracranial lipomas, as well as thickening of the tissue corresponding clinically to the area of ​​alopecia (Fig. 3) in the right frontoparietal region. Based on the clinical picture, histopathological findings, and MRI results, a diagnosis of ECCL was made.

Fig. 2.

Axillary freckles ipsilateral to ocular and neurological findings.

Fig. 3.

MRI demonstrating a lipoma in the right pontocerebellar cistern and a lipoma posterior to the cervical spinal cord. Subcutaneous tissue thickening is also observed in the right frontoparietal region, clinically corresponding to the alopecia area.

ECCL represents a distinct clinical and genetic neurocutaneous phenotype, characterized by dermatological, ocular, and neurological alterations. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is based on major and minor criteria, distributed among the three affected systems (Table 1).5,6 The condition belongs to the group of RASopathies, a set of genetic syndromes caused by mutations in genes that regulate the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway.2 These conditions share similar molecular mechanisms and may show overlapping clinical manifestations. Café-au-lait spots, already described in cases of ECCL, are also present in other RASopathies, such as NF1 and cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome.7 Additionally, axillary freckles were observed, a manifestation not yet documented in association with ECCL, but which could be explained by the same pathogenic mechanism. This pattern is observed in other RASopathies, such as Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome, NF1, and Legius syndrome, reinforcing the possibility of phenotypic overlap mediated by activation of the RAS-MAPK pathway.7,8

Differential diagnoses include Oculocerebrocutaneous Syndrome (Delleman Syndrome), Proteus, Epidermal Nevus and Schimmelpenning Syndrome.7,9,10 The therapeutic strategy depends on the symptoms. Endoscopic ventriculostomy of the third ventricle is generally preferred for relief of intracranial hypertension in cases of hydrocephalus.11 Surgery is recommended for symptomatic spinal lipomas, aiming to preserve neurological function, with follow-up being essential to monitor the progression of lipomatous lesions and prevent vertebral deformities.11