Ultrasound aids in diagnosis and severity assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa

摘要

Madam, Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting areas rich in apocrine glands.1 It is characterized by the occurrence of boils in the affected sites that gradually enlarge and rupture with heavy purulence. Patients report intense pain at the affected sites. The physical course of HS is dominated by flares and remissions, creating ambiguity about the exact diagnosis. The present prospective study was conducted to establish specific ultrasound (US) signs that, along with clinical findings, may help to confirm HS diagnosis and to assess disease severity.Nineteen patients with HS were enrolled in a prospective study between January and June 2006. HS was denned by the following criteria:(i) onset after puberty; (ii) presence of subcutaneous nodules in areas of skin rich in apocrine glands; and (iii) compatible history of recurrent drainage of pus from the affected areas.