title: Nodulocystic acne and hidradenitis suppurativa treated with acitretin: a case report.
abstract: Nodulocystic acne is a dermatologic disease that can result in significant damage to the skin of the face, chest, and back. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a scarring disease of the skin that causes deep cysts and abscesses on the axillae and anogenital areas. We review a case of a patient with severe nodulocystic facial acne and hidradenitis suppurativa that was treated with 2 full courses of isotretinoin. Although the patient's condition improved, some draining cysts persisted on the face and groin. Because of the inability of isotretinoin to achieve long-term remission of the patient's condition, acitretin was considered as a possible maintenance drug. The patient was almost completely improved after 5 months' therapy with acitretin, which also was effectively used for ongoing maintenance. Acitretin may be a promising treatment for severe nodulocystic acne and hidradenitis suppurativa, which require long-term suppression when isotretinoin fails to give long-term remission.
authors.affiliation: North Shore Center for Medical Aesthetics, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Scheman
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D017255:Acitretin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D017255:Acitretin