title: Recalcitrant eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of Ofuji with palmoplantar pustulosis: dramatic response to narrowband UVB phototherapy.
abstract: Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of Ofuji is a recalcitrant disease typified by non-infective eosinophilic spongiosis involving the infundibular region of the hair follicle. We present a case of a 49-year-old Chinese man with known palmoplantar pustulosis and acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau which was promptly resolved with methotrexate therapy. He returned with an erythematous papulopustular eruption with coalescence to annular plaques, occurring over the face, chest and back with active palmoplantar pustulation. Histology from skin biopsy of the palmar lesion was in keeping with palmoplantar psoriasis, while biopsy of the facial and truncal lesions revealed florid perifollicular eosinophilic congregation diagnostic of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis of Ofuji. Indomethacin was initiated with partial improvement of lesions with cyclical flares. A trial of narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy at a frequency of thrice weekly achieved sustained clearance of both eosinophilic pustular folliculitis and palmoplantar lesions. Indomethacin was tailed down and eventually discontinued with maintenance of narrowband ultraviolet-B therapy; this achieved successful control of the disease.
authors.affiliation: National Skin Centre, Singapore. joel.lim@mohh.com.sg
authors.forename: Hua Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Wei-Sheng
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chong
mesh_terms: D000169:Acrodermatitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D044466:Asian People; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007213:Indomethacin