The results of a study published in the journal Skin Appendage Disorders indicate a potential link between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and dissecting cellulitis (DC), characterized as a rare neutrophilic dermatosis that leads to cicatricial alopecia. “Although DC and HS have similar characteristics, their association remains poorly understood,” the researchers noted.
In this prospective observational study, researchers used trichoscopy to identify subclinical signs of DC in 23 male patients aged 18 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis HS from February 2022, to January 2023.
The results found that 35% of the study group had subclinical trichoscopy findings consistent with DC. The most frequent location of DC was the vertex, and the majority of patients had early/inflammatory trichoscopic signs of DC, the researchers noted.
“This is the first study to evaluate subclinical DC findings in HS patients using trichoscopy,” the researchers concluded. “Although the trichoscopic findings of DC are heterogeneous, the use of this non-invasive technique, in conjunction with clinical evaluation, can improve diagnostic accuracy and lead to earlier diagnosis.”
