Perifolliculitis Capitis Abscedens Et Suffodiens, Familial

Description

Perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens is a chronic inflammatory disease of the scalp characterized by the presence of large and small nodules that suppurate and intercommunicate by sinus formation. It may be more frequent in black males than in others (summary by McMullan and Zeligman, 1956).

Clinical Features

Bjellerup and Wallengren (1990) described typical perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens in 2 brothers. One, a 20-year-old man, had a 3-month history of tender, suppurating nodules on the scalp and developed small areas of alopecia. The 33-year-old brother had itching of the scalp and hair loss. In both patients, the only microorganism isolated was S. epidermidis. Treatment with oral isotretinoin was successful in both.