Follicular occlusion triad: hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp

Abstract

The pathophysiology and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa, acne conglobata, and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, which constitute the follicular occlusion triad, are reviewed. The unusual occurrence of all three components in a single patient resistant to medical management is presented with a review of the literature. This patient's course was complicated by multiple synchronous squamous cell carcinomas developing in a localized area where his acne conglobata was most pronounced. Although one lesion was clinically obvious, the majority were less suspicious for cancer. Occult cancer should be considered in recalcitrant cases of acne conglobata where isolated areas fail to respond to medical management, particularly when 13-cis-retinoic acid has been used.