Lymphœdème compliquant une hidradénite suppurée : trois observations

Unilateral Breast Skin Changes in Patient With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Malignancy Versus Lymphedema

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disorder typically affecting the groin, inframammary folds, and axillae. HS is characterized by the development of boils, abscesses, fistulas, and sinus tracts. Due to the inflammatory destruction of lymph vessels, patients with long-standing HS may develop lymphedema. Most commonly reported in the literature is lymphedema involvement of the genital and anal regions. In this case report, we describe unilateral breast skin changes in a patient with HS. The patient was extensively worked up for inflammatory breast cancer, and eventually underwent stereotactic biopsies. Subsequently, these biopsies were consistent with lymphedema due to her chronic HS. Although rare, there is a paucity of literature describing breast lymphedema associated with HS. As breast lymphedema due to HS may mimic inflammatory breast cancer, it is important for providers to firstly rule out malignancy and place lymphedema high on the differential when examining and treating these patients.

The management of hidradenitis suppurativa degenerating into squamous cell carcinoma: About three case reports

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory and suppurative disease of the apocrine sweat glands. Its transformation into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe 3 cases of males aged 57, 58 and 55-years-old. The diagnoses were confirmed by pathology examination in all cases. Two of our patients underwent extended and complete surgery. The first two patients died during the year after the diagnosis was established, the third one is still alive with no recurrence after one year of surgery.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Hidradenitis suppurativa mostly concerns perianal location and it targets mainly male patients with a multifactorial development. Surgical treatment consists of large excision. The SCC is associated with a high mortality rate.

CONCLUSION

Hidradenitis suppurativa needs early diagnosis and effective surgery. The transformation into squamous cell carcinoma is rare and and its management is challenging. Extended and complete excision is required with rigorous postoperative follow-up.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in long-standing hidradenitis suppurativa: An overlooked facet of the immunocompromised district

The list of comorbidities and complications associated with hidradenitis suppurativa is extensive. Among the complications of hidradenitis suppurativa, squamous cell carcinoma is considered the most severe. After a meticulous literature research starting from the 1950s, we were able to identify over 90 cases of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa developing squamous cell carcinoma. Most squamous cell carcinomas appear on the perineal or buttock areas. We believe that the development of squamous cell carcinoma in longstanding hidradenitis suppurativa is a typical condition of an immunocompromised district. The "immunocompromised cutaneous district" is a novel concept that applies to an area of diseased or injured skin where local immune control has been altered, thereby permitting the development of a dysimmune reaction, infection, or tumor confined to the diseased or injured site.

Acne inversa (Hidradenitis suppurativa): A review with a focus on pathogenesis and treatment

Acne inversa (AI) is a disabilitating chronic inflammatory disease with major negative impact on quality of life and significant co-morbidities. This is an important link to insights into immune dysfunction, which stimulated therapeutic approaches like tumor necrosis-α inhibitor therapy. This new off-label drug treatment is particularly beneficial when used in combination with wide excision of inflamed skin and subcutaneous tissue. Retinoids have been reported to be helpful in secondary prevention. The standard of therapy in advanced cases is surgery with wide excisions and healing by secondary intention. This treatment results in significant reduction of complaints and achieves satisfactory body contouring.

Hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent, painful, deep-seated, rounded nodules and abscesses of apocrine gland-bearing skin. Subsequent suppuration, sinus tracts and hypertrophic scarring are its main features. Onset is usually after puberty, although it is most common during the third decade and may persist in old age. The disease tends to be chronic and may develop to subcutaneous extension leading to indurations, sinus, and fistula having a profound impact on the quality of life. The prevalence is 1% in several studies. Axillary and inguinal involvement is more common in females; peri-anal and buttocks localizations are prevalent in males. The exact aetiology remains unknown. The primary event is a follicular occlusion with secondary inflammation, infection and destruction of the pilo-sebaceo-apocrine apparatus and extension to the adjacent sub-cutaneous tissue. Infection is common. Smoking may be a triggering factor. Obesity aggravates the discomfort. Differential diagnostic includes Crohn's disease, nodular acne and furonculosis. The main complications are arthropathy, carcinoma. Treatment depends upon the stage of the disease. Early nodular lesions may be treated by antibiotics for acute stage; long-term antibiotics, zinc salts may be useful as maintenance treatment; anti-TNF drugs have been used in severe cases; systemic steroids, estrogens, anti-androgens, retinoids have been used as options with limited success. Surgical treatment includes incision with or without drainage for limited abscesses; limited excisions are used for locally recurring draining sinuses. Total wide excision and healing with secondary intention or flaps and grafts is the only curative procedure in case of advanced disease.

[Hidradenitis suppurativa]

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by recurrent tender nodules and boils, usually in the armpits and groins. Draining fistulas and hypertrophic scarring are hallmarks of more severe disease. The objective of this article is to review the clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations and treatment of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The article is based on a non-systematic literature search in PubMed, review of dermatology textbooks and the author's personal clinical experience.

RESULTS

Hidradenitis suppurativa, also known as acne inversa, is a follicular occlusion disease that can severely reduce quality of life. Staphylococci and other pathogenic bacteria frequently colonize the lesions, but the disease is not primarily a bacterial infection. Smoking and obesity can worsen disease activity. Moderate and severe disease is usually treated with excisional surgery. Antibiotics, often tetracyclines, are indicated for mild disease and as an adjunct to surgery in more severe disease. Antibiotics, however, are not curative. New treatment options, such as TNF-alpha inhibitors and zinc gluconate should still be considered experimental.

INTERPRETATION

Hidradenitis suppurativa is probably underdiagnosed. The disease is often recalcitrant to treatment. The effect of medical treatment is not supported by high quality evidence.

Hiradenitis suppurativa presenting as a polypoidal lesion at the anal verge

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic disease characterized by painful recurrent abscesses, fistulas and scarring lesions in axilla, groin, perineum and rarely mass lesions at the affected site. Here we present a case of hidradenitis suppurativa that presented as a polypoidal growth at the anal verge.