Alopecic and Aseptic Nodules of the Scalp/Pseudocyst of the Scalp: Clinicopathological and Therapeutic Analyses in 11 Korean Patients

Dermatology. 2016;232(2):165-70. doi: 10.1159/000441219. Epub 2015 Nov 18.

Abstract

Background: Alopecic and aseptic nodule of the scalp (AANS) is a rare disease entity first reported in 1992 as pseudocyst of the scalp (PCS). Controversy exists regarding the histopathology and etiology of reported cases.

Objective: We performed this study to analyze the clinical and histopathologic features of AANS/PCS in Korean patients.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 2008 to 2013 at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital was performed.

Results: Eleven patients were enrolled. All patients were male, and their mean age was 21.6 years. Most patients had a solitary nodule (10/11) located predominantly on the vertex. The mean nodule size was 20 mm. Inflammatory cell infiltration in the deep dermis was a histologic feature of AANS/PCS. Eight patients showed granulomatous infiltration. All patients were treated with short-term antibiotics and intralesional steroid injection.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that dermatologists should consider AANS when diagnosing an alopecic nodule on the scalp.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alopecia / complications*
  • Alopecia / drug therapy
  • Alopecia / pathology*
  • Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cephalosporins / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epidermal Cyst / complications*
  • Epidermal Cyst / drug therapy
  • Epidermal Cyst / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Male
  • Republic of Korea
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scalp Dermatoses / drug therapy
  • Scalp Dermatoses / etiology*
  • Scalp Dermatoses / pathology*
  • Triamcinolone / administration & dosage
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • Triamcinolone
  • Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination