BACKGROUND:

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent, suppurative disease manifested by abscesses, fistulas, and scarring.

METHODS:

We reviewed the literature to identify reliable information regarding epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, evaluation and differential diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prognosis.

RESULTS:

Hidradenitis suppurativa usually affects young women, with a prevalence of 0.3% to 4% in industrialized countries. Once considered to be "apocrine acne," HS is actually a defect of terminal follicular epithelium. Obesity, chemical irritants, or hyperandrogenism are not consistently associated; bacterial involvement is secondary. Hidradenitis suppurativa should be suspected in young adults with recurrent, deep furuncular lesions in flexural sites, especially when such lesions respond poorly to antibiotic therapy. Clindamycin and isotretinoin may be useful, though wide excision with healing by granulation is considered most efficacious. Anemia, arthropathy, and squamous cell carcinoma are potential complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Since spontaneous resolution is rare and progressive disability the rule, early definitive surgical treatment of HS is advisable.