
Coexistence of steatocystoma multiplex and hidradenitis suppurativa: Assessment of this unique association by means of ultrasonography and Color Doppler
Author(s) -
Zussino Martina,
Nazzaro Gianluca,
Moltrasio Chiara,
Marzano Angelo V.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12751
Subject(s) - hidradenitis suppurativa , medicine , apocrine , color doppler , ultrasonography , radiology , pathology , disease
Background Steatocystoma multiplex (SM) is an uncommon skin disease manifesting as multiple sebum‐containing cysts arising in pilosebaceous unit‐rich body areas. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease affecting the apocrine gland‐bearing skin and presenting with both pseudocystic and inflammatory nodules, abscesses and fistulas. Considering that genetics has been reported to play a role in both entities, the albeit rare association between them suggests a shared genetic background. Although histology remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of SM, ultrasonography can be an useful diagnostic tool. This method is largely used in combination with Color Doppler for assessing disease severity in HS. Materials and Methods We report three cases of coexisting SM and HS and describe the ultrasonography and Color Doppler features of the two entities. Results SM lesions appeared on ultrasonography as hypoechoic nodules with well‐defined hyperechoic borders and posterior acoustic enhancement, in the absence of Color Doppler signal. HS lesions had the ultrasonographic features of the fistulas, abscesses and pseudocystic nodules, some of which including hair fragments, with an intense Color Doppler signal within or around inflamed lesions. Conclusion The combination of ultrasonography and Color Doppler proved to be a reliable instrument for differentiating between SM and HS lesions, particularly distinguishing HS pseudocystic nodules from true cysts of SM.