Chronic neurologic cutaneous and articular (CINCA) syndrome, also known as neonatal onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID) is a rare monogenic autoinflammatory disorder, belonging to the spectrum of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS). The condition is characterized by seemingly unprovoked inflammation, in the absence of autoimmune or infective causes. Three main manifestations of CINCA syndrome are cutaneous signs, including maculopapular urticarial eruptions, commonly observed in the infantile period, joint involvement of variable severity, and CNS involvement. All these signs may vary considerably over time. In addition, affected patients often show other features, including fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, progressive hearing loss, eye involvement (conjunctivitis, uveitis, papilledema, and optic nerve atrophy), abnormal crabiofacial features, and a failure to grow. The skin manifestations are caused by a neutophilic infiltrate in the dermis. The varied joint abnormalities range from merely mild articular attacks to cartilaginous abnormalities, suggestive of a pseudo-tumor. CNS involvement is the most damaging. Craniofacial abnormalities include macrocephaly with frontal bossing, saddle-back nose, and delayed closure of the anterior fontanel.
CINCA syndrome is extremely rare, with only close to 100 patients having been reported in medical literature. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, slow acting anti-rheumatic drugs, and immune-suppressants have all have been used in the management of CINCA. However, they only appear to have some symptomatic relief. Treatment with IL-1 blocking drugs is being considered.