Successful treatment of recalcitrant dissecting cellulitis of the scalp with complete scalp excision and split-thickness skin graft.
BACKGROUND
Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is a therapeutically challenging, chronic, progressive, suppurative disease of the scalp that is of unknown etiology. In addition to causing considerable discomfort and cosmetic disfigurement, long-standing lesions may result in the development of squamous cell carcinoma. Several treatment modalities for DCS have been employed with variable results.


OBJECTIVE
To report the successful treatment of an aggressive, refractory case of DCS with complete scalp excision and split-thickness skin graft.


METHODS
A 25-year-old black male with DCS was treated with complete scalp excision and split-thickness graft from the anterior thighs.


RESULTS
The patient has remained free of disease activity and is satisfied with the cosmetic result.


CONCLUSIONS
Complete scalp excision with split-thickness skin graft may be curative in patients with DCS and should be considered in recalcitrant cases that fail to respond to medical therapy.
Bellew
Supriya G
SG
Department of Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
Nemerofsky
Robert
R
Schwartz
Robert A
RA
Granick
Mark S
MS
D000328:Adult; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods