The role of biologic treatment in special scenarios in hidradenitis suppurativa: Facial and nape phenotype, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, and lymphedema

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the hair follicle which typically affects the axilla, inguinal, submammary, and perianal areas. Atypical HS, such as facial HS, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS), nape HS, and HS lymphedema has also been described. There is scarce evidence about the treatment of atypical HS. To describe the efficacy of biologic drugs and adjuvant therapeutic interventions used in patients with atypical HS who had an inadequate response to systemic antibiotics. Prospective case series study of patients with atypical HS (facial HS, DCS, nape HS, and HS lymphedema) treated with biologic drugs in a HS Clinic setting. Disease activity indexes, sociodemographic, clinical, and safety variables were collected. Two patients met criteria for Facial HS, three met criteria for DCS/nape HS and three patients met criteria for HS lymphedema. Patients with facial HS achieved rapid improvement without requiring other therapies. Patients with DCS, nape HS, and HS lymphedema showed variable response, with decrease of activity indexes, and requiring adjuvant treatments. Biologic drugs are useful in the management of special HS locations. In the case of facial HS, biologic therapy seems to be quite effective as monotherapy. In the cases of DCS, HS lymphedema and nape HS, treatment combination or intensification may be needed.