Arachnoiditis is an inflammatory condition of the arachnoid mater or arachnoid, one of the membranes known as meninges that surround and protect the nerves of the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. The arachnoid can become inflamed because of adverse reactions to chemicals, infection from bacteria or viruses, as the result of direct injury to the spine, chronic compression of spinal nerves, complications from spinal surgery or other invasive spinal procedures, or the accidental intrathecal injection of steroids intended for the epidural space. Inflammation can sometimes lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesion that can make the spinal nerves "stick" together, a condition where such tissue develops in and between the leptomeninges. The condition is extremely painful, especially when progressing to adhesive arachnoiditis. Another form of the condition is arachnoiditis ossificans, in which the arachnoid becomes ossified, or turns to bone, and is thought to be a late-stage complication of the adhesive form of arachnoiditis. Signs and symptoms
Arachnoid inflammation can lead to many painful and debilitating symptoms which can vary  greatly in each case, and not all people experience all symptoms. Chronic pain is common, including neuralgia, while numbness and tingling of the extremities can occur with spinal cord involvement, and bowel, bladder, and sexual functioning can be affected if the lower part of the spinal cord is involved. While arachnoiditis has no consistent pattern of symptoms, it frequently affects the nerves that supply the legs and lower back.
Familial cutaneous collagenoma is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by the presence of multiple symmetric nodules on the trunk and upper arms in multiple members of the same family. The nodules are flesh-colored, asymptomatic, and they start appearing during adolescent years.It has been described in 10 families worldwide.These nodules are caused by an overgrowth of collagen fibers with an accompanying decreased number of elastic fibers.In some cases, this condition is associated with anomalies in other parts of the body. Genetics
In a 2-generation Israeli Jewish family (whose affected members were two biological cousins), Hershkovitz et al. found a heterozygous mutation in the LEMD3 gene in both cousins and in the unaffected father of one of them. Possibly related complications
In 1968, Henderson et al. described 3 American brothers with the condition, and found that each one of them had health complications: the first brother suffered from idiopathic cardiomyopathy, the second suffered from iris atrophy of the left eye with accompanying severe high-frequency deafness, and the third suffered from recurrent vasculitis. == References ==