isotretinoin and Pilonidal-Sinus

Isotretinoin has been used off-label in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients with variable results, making it difficult to predict which patients with HS are likely to benefit.. We conducted a retrospective review of HS patients who presented to UCLA HS clinic between August 2009 and March 2018 and collected data on their demographics, reported history of isotretinoin treatment for HS, and treatment response. A number of patient variables were analyzed between the responders and non-responders to see if any were associated with a higher likelihood of a beneficial response.. Of the 209 patients, 39 (18.7%) reported prior treatment with isotretinoin. A beneficial response to isotretinoin was reported by 14 (35.9%) patients, while 25 (64.1%) patients reported no response. When comparing responders to non-responders, responders were more likely to have a history of pilonidal cyst (. Our data suggest that for HS patients, having a history of pilonidal cyst is associated with a beneficial response to isotretinoin.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Isotretinoin; Male; Middle Aged; Pilonidal Sinus; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) may be associated with face and back lesions which are considered as acne.. To describe the skin lesions of a group of patients with HS.. Twelve patients were selected from a series of 648 patients on the basis of their specific skin lesions.. The patients (mostly male) had typical hidradenitis. On their face or back they had one or several of the following skin lesions which are not seen in acne: hypertrophic rope-like bridged scars, raised plaques with multiple carbuncle-like openings or with ulcerations, 'worm-eaten scars' and coalescent nodules with round ulcerations. All patients had deep round scars. Several had a pilonidal cyst or large epidermal cysts. Isotretinoin had been used by 7 patients with no effect.. Some HS patients have specific lesions of the face and back which are not acne and have to be treated differently.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Adult; Back; Cicatrix; Clindamycin; Dermatologic Agents; Epidermal Cyst; Face; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Isotretinoin; Male; Middle Aged; Pilonidal Sinus; Rifampin; Skin Ulcer; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult