Acne inversa L73.2

Probably a special form of acne vulgaris in adulthood, affecting areas rich in apocrine sweat glands and terminal hairs (inverse pattern), with formation of comedones and eminently chronic abscessed fistula ducts (DD: Hidradenitis suppurativa).

Multiple, chronically stationary, mostly painful, disseminated, flatly elevated, or clearly raised, blurred, red solid papules, plaques and nodules. Also painful, floating abscesses or deeply sunken, rough scar plates or scar bulges, which can lead to movement restrictions. On close inspection, small sunken comedones are found again and again, which makes it clear that they belong to the acne group.

In less pronounced cases a complex external systemic approach is recommended:

• Retinoids: The efficacy of retinoids is evaluated differently. Apparently, acitretin is the more effective therapeutic agent compared to isotretinoin.
• Immunomodulatory therapeutics: Insufficient clinical data are available to date for immunomodulators such as dapsone, cyclosporine A, methotrexate, colchicine, or corticosteroids (Schneider-Burrus S et al. 2018).
• Other: Continue consistent daily local disinfection. Laser epilation of the affected areas is recommended, if necessary. complete excision of nodular inflammation; if possible primary closure; alternatively secondary healing of the defect.
• Comedones: If comedones are detected, consequent removal by punch biopsies.

Advanced clinical pictures:

• Medicinal measures: Adalimumab (Humira®) has been approved since 2015 and seems to be a promising option (Zouboulis CC et al 2019).
• Surgical measures: In advanced disease, the only curative measure is the earliest possible surgical intervention with generous en bloc resection of the affected areas. Even larger defect areas remain open postoperatively and may undergo secondary granulation and epithelialization under careful wound monitoring. If defect coverage is necessary, free grafts should be weighed against swing-valve plasty. Again, systemic treatment with retinoids can be given preoperatively, 3-4 months before the planned procedure. Postoperatively, this treatment should be continued for several months.

General measures:

• Smokers should be strictly banned from smoking.
• If present, treatment of anemia.
• Avoidance of tight fitting clothing (e.g. jeans).

The entity of the clinical picture is controversial. Relationships to perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens, acne conglobata and hidradenitis suppurativa are discussed (see also clinical classification and therapy). The term acne inversa is partly used synonymously with acne triad, acne tetrade and hidradenitis suppurativa.

1. Küster W et al (1991) Acne inversa. dermatologist 42: 2-8
2. Lentner A et al (1992) Clinical appearance and therapy of Pyodermia fistulans sinifica (Acne inversa). Z Hautkr 67: 988-992
3. Stein A et al (2003) Acne inversa. dermatologist 54: 173-185
4. Wienert V et al (2002) Acne inversa (stage 2). dermatologist 53: 18-21