Acne inversa: difficulties in diagnostics and therapy

Abstract

Acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa) is a potentially severe and chronic inflammatory disease with a significant negative influence on the quality of life. Usually, lesions are located in the areas of skin folds and it is characterized by the presence of painful nodules and fistulas with a tendency to tissue fibrosis. Currently, it is suggested that follicular occlusion by infundibular hyperkeratosis plays a crucial role in pathogenesis and an occupation of apocrine sweat glands is a secondary phenomenon. Most often, it refers to men after puberty. This article tries to present the latest theory concerning the etiology of inverted acne and methods of its treatment. It also describes the most common errors in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, which are mainly connected with repeated and long antibiotic therapy and not radical surgical treatment.

Introduction

Acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa) is a potentially severe and chronic inflammatory disease with a significant negative influence on the quality of life. Usually, lesions are located in the areas of skin folds and it is characterized by the presence of painful nodules and fistulas with a tendency to tissue fibrosis [1, 2]. Stigmatization, depression and anxiety are the highest among patients with clinical changes in the anal and genital area (Figures 1 A–C, 2 A, B).

Figure 1 A-C.

Severe acne inversa – stage III

Figure 2.

Acne inverse: A – stage I, B – stage II

To this day, there have been discussions whether the disorder belongs to a group of acne or it is a completely different disease entity. Currently, it is suggested that follicular occlusion by infundibular hyperkeratosis plays a crucial role in pathogenesis and an occupation of apocrine sweat glands is a secondary phenomenon. Most often, it refers to men after puberty. Its incidence is 1: 600 in Caucasians, but higher in patients of African origin. Average prevalence varies in different regions of the world, from < 1% to 4% [1, 3, 4].

Affected areas include: gluteal area, groins, axillae, anogenital area and scalp (Table 1). Although isotretinoin cures acne, in case of this disease it works only sporadically.

Table 1.

Location of skin changes in acne inversa

Location	All (n = 106) [%]	Female (n = 45) [%]	Male (n = 61) [%]
Armpit	61.3	75.6	50.8
Groin	70.8	55.6	82.0
Anogenital	15.1	20.0	11.5
Others	34	42.2	27.9

Etiology

Etiology of the inverted acne, as mentioned earlier, is not entirely clear (Table 2). Familial occurrence of this disease was confirmed, but both genetics and the inheritance pattern in most patients require further researches. In Chinese, Japanese and European families, the mutation of γ-secretase – NCSTN, PSENEN and PSEN1 – genes was described. γ-Secretase is one of many subunits of the protease complex, which cleaves transmembrane proteins. It is also essential for an appropriate processing of the Notch protein, which is suggested as a key for the etiology of acne inversa. The best known substrate of γ-secretase is the amyloid precursor protein, which is an integral membrane protein. Thus, amyloid deposits were also described in patients with inverted acne [3, 5–7].

Table 2.

Historical changes in nomenclature of acne inversa

Author	Year	Nomenclature
Velpeau	1839	First description
Verneuil	1854	Hidradenitis
Schifferdecker	1922	Apocrine glands
Lane	1934	Acne group
Kligmann	1956	Follicle occlusion triad
Gehlen	1976	Severe acne
Plewig	1988	Inverted acne

The bacteriological test of patients with acne inversa points to the lack of bacterial flora or mixed flora containing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In deep biopsies of lesions, coagulase-negative staphylococcican sometimes be found. Researchers suggest that it indicates disorders of cellular innate immunity in relation to the physiological flora, probably also in saccharomyces. In patients with inverted acne, skin lesions hardly ever cause fever, sepsis or lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests conclude accelerated OB, increased leukocytosis and other markers of the chronic inflammatory process [1, 8, 9].

Histopathological analysis demonstrates infundibular hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia of the follicular epithelium, perifolliculitis and creation of pimples and blackheads, which can imitate acne vulgaris in the early stage of the disease. Apocrine glands are unchanged. In the later stage, images of ruptured hair follicle and severe inflammatory infiltration are visible. Also at this stage, apocrine glands remain unchanged. In the case of restriction of the inflammatory process to the area of hair follicle, neutrophils are gradually displaced by granulomatous cells (inflammatory reaction – foreign body type). In the case of a more severe inflammatory reaction, an abscess, which can reach the subcutaneous tissue, is formed. In the late stage, we can observe fistulas, fibrosis of dermis and subcutaneous tissue and massive inflammation reaction [1].

It is not clear what causes an occlusion of hair follicles in the course of acne inversa. It is believed that it may be the hyperkeratosis, similar to acne vulgaris. Other possibilities are chemokines and cytokines synthesized by keratinocytes, which are inflammatory and they cause the migration and proliferation of keratinocytes. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor also seems to play a role in the pathophysiology. Seventy-seven percent of skin biopsies in patients with inverted acne demonstrated a severe hyperplasia of hair follicles epithelium. Histological researches of patients with inverted acne did not demonstrate the presence or reducing the size of sebaceous glands. Inflammatory infiltrate contains tryptase-positive mast cells, T CD-3-positive lymphocytes, CD 138-positive plasma cells. As a result of damage, we can observe an additional influx of leukocytes, neutrophils and macrophages. Later in the infiltration, we can see C20+ and CD79a + cells. Lesions and surrounding skin also contains pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as: IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α and macrophages with an expression of TLR2 receptors, AMP antimicrobial peptides, IL-23 and IL-12, IL-10, IL-17 (what in some way looks like infiltration in Crohn's disease and psoriasis). In 43% of cases, it was also observed similar to psoriasis hyperplasia of epidermis and intra-follicular and intra-epidermal inflammatory infiltration: CD 3, CD 4, CD 68, CD 79 and CD8. Described factors are considered to be early markers of acne inversa type changes. In comparison with a healthy skin, a significantly higher expression of Toll-like type 2 (TLR2) receptors was found. Infiltration was dominated by CD 68+ macrophages, CD 209+ dendritic cells DC and T CD3 lymphocytes. TLR2 expression was primarily observed in CD 68+ macrophages and CD 209+ dendritic cells DC. Interestingly, similar features are present in the infiltration in typical changes in the course of acne vulgaris [10–12].

Population-based studies demonstrated that obesity and smoking are risk factors for the formation of acne inversa type changes. Ninety-six percent of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa smoked more than 20 cigarettes, and 50% of them were overweight. It is believed that nicotine acts by intensity of hyperkeratosis in hair follicles, inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis, stimulation of chemotaxis, increase of hydro-oxidation of estrogens, vasoconstriction, decrease in saturation via oxygen and decrease in the production of prostacyclins [13].

Moreover, the role of hormonal factors in the acne inversa etiology was described. The disease almost always starts after the puberty, and it completely or partially disappears after the menopause [1, 14]. The impact of androgens on the course of the hidradenitis suppurativa is also contemplated, but most patients have correct hormonal tests.

Increased prevalence of obesity and diabetes is shown in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Probably, the obesity provokes a friction of skin in folds what contributes to the severity of keratosispilaris. There are also reports about the provocation acne inversa with lithium, corticosteroids or some vitamins [1, 15].

Clinical stages, symptoms

Severity of acne inversa is classified into three stages according to Hurley scale, which relies on the subjective extent of the disease (Table 3).

Table 3.

Hurley's classification

Stage	Description of skin changes
I	Abscesses single or multiple, no fistulas and scars
II	Chronic abscesses with fistulas and scars, single or multiple
III	Disseminated changes in several location with abscesses, bridge-type scars and fistulas

Hidradenitis suppurativa can be associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, spondyloarthropaties, folliculitis, congenital disorders of keratinization and squamous cell carcinoma. Co-morbidity with diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, acne vulgaris, poor hygiene, use of deodorants, depilation, maceration and occlusion was not demonstrated [3, 13].

The most common complications of inverted acne are scarring and infections. Due to the chronic inflammatory process, systemic complications may also appear, such as anemia, hypoproteinemia, nephrotic syndrome, arthropathies, secondary lymphoedema (scrotum, vulva), rectum, vagina, urethra and bladder fistulas [13].

Reactive arthritis can develop as a possible complication of acne inversa. Inflammation of synovial membrane – synovitis, acne, hyperostosis and osteoarthritis were described in patients with AI as so-called SAPHO (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis) syndrome. There were also cases of coexistence with pyoderma gangrenosum and secondary amyloidosis with systemic involvement of the heart and kidneys. Another complication is an interstitial keratitis, which can lead to the perforation [3].

A life-threatening complication is the squamous cell carcinoma. It is relatively rare but these tumors are aggressive with a tendency to early metastases [13].

Differential diagnosis includes: abscessus perianalis, furuncles, fistulas, actinomycosis, tuberculosis, deep fungal infection (mycosis), atypical mycobacteriosis NTM/MOTT, inguinal granuloma (donovanosis) and also pyoderma gangrenosum [3].

Diagnostic mistakes are very common. They lead to therapeutic errors, because treatment of inverted acne significantly differs from the therapy in diseases, which are mentioned in differentiation. It leads to a number of treatment failures. An especially popular mistake is treating of lesions as furuncles or acne vulgaris.

Treatment

Standards of acne inversa therapy are presented below (Table 4).

Table 4.

Consensus of treatment JDDG 2012

Treatment	Recommendation level
Surgery	1
Clindamycin-rifampicin orally	2
Infliximab i.v.	2
Laser Nd-Yag	2

Pharmacological treatment of acne inversa usually brings only short-term effects. However, due to possible contraindications for the surgical treatment, as well as concerns of patients connected with this type of therapy, a conservative therapy is often initially recommended [15, 16].

Quite often, general (tetracycline, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, cephalosporins) or local antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin) are recommended as treatment of choice. However, due to only short-term effects of this therapy, they should be used only in exacerbations of the disease or as the perioperative treatment. Recently recommended therapy is a combination of clindamycin with rifampicin [13, 15, 16].

Vaccines from one's own bacterial material, bacteriophages and medicines stimulating an immune response have a limited effectiveness in acne inversa. Isotretinoin does not work either. It is recommended only in the preoperative period (approximately 3 months in a dose of 0.6–1 mg/kg). In the literature, there are also reports about the effectiveness of dapsone in a dose of 25–100 mg/day. However, long-term effects of this treatment are rarely mentioned. Anti-androgenic therapy is considered to be effective only in the first stage of disease and location in the genital area. Therapy trials also included 5a-reductase-finasteride inhibitor at a dose of 5 mg/day [14, 15].

Recent reports also describe different treatment regimens by biologicals: infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, efalizumab and others. This therapy, despite a high recommendation (2012), is still not approved by the FDA, and treatment regimens are different. Infliximab was used in a dose of 5–10 mg/day every 4 weeks during the period from 5 months to 4 years. A good response was obtained in 80% of patients in II and III stage of inverted acne after just only 3–7 applications of the medicine. Etanercept in a dose of 2 × 25 mg/week was recommended by 17–40 weeks. Efalizumab in several cases was added in a dose of 1 mg/kg/month at weekly intervals for a period of 6 months. Adalimumab was also used in a few regimens. In 3-month therapy, 15 patients in II and III stage obtained a significant improvement, expressed by a decrease in VAS and DLQI. In all patients, medicines were well tolerated [13, 16–20].

In inverted acne, it was also tried to use intravenous immunoglobulin given once a month at a dose of 8–12 g for 1–15 months. In other cases, usually a short-term improvement was obtained by using X-ray radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, local corticosteroids injections, compresses from 10% ichthyol ointment or moist application of chlorhexidine. However, the aforementioned methods were characterized by a limited effectiveness and they were recommended only in the first stage of disease. An alternatively used method is cryotherapy, usually spraying of liquid nitrogen [15, 17].

The treatment of choice in acne inversa is a surgical intervention. Unfortunately, quite common concerns of patients concerning this method of therapy causes that it is deferred what worsens results of treatment. Successful surgical interventions are connected with a complete excision of diseased tissues with a margin of healthy skin, with the closure of defects caused by self-healing, primary sewing, local flap plastic surgery/plasty and transplant/graft plasty. Sometimes, several such interventions are necessary [15, 16].

The extent of skin lesions is best determined by the preoperative palpation test, where indurations and fistulas can be felt. Excision should concern lesions, full thickness of subcutaneous tissue/hypodermis and variously defined margins of healthy skin (some specialists recommend 1 cm). Fascia with muscles is less cut out.

A scalpel, electric scalpel or ablative laser (CO₂) is used for resection. The simplest option of healing is an intrinsic healing. Wound surface is covered with sterile bandages or bandages accelerating granulation tissue. The healing time in this method is 6–12 weeks. Transplants plastyshortens healing time and usually allows for better aesthetic results. Transplants can be used directly after the surgery or after finishing of bottom's granulation tissue. Smaller defects can be stapled. In the area of armpits, local shifted flap-plasty for example so-called Limberg rhomboid flaps, is recommended. Methods limited to cut-out abscesses and stitch of fistulas are ineffective and not recommended [15, 19–23].

The most common early postoperative complications include: infection, bleeding, impaired wound healing, necrosis of the transplant, necrosis of the flap, injury of brachial plexus, injury of nerves, thrombotic complications of brachial vein. Late complications include: retention of serous discharge, bridge contractures, hypertrophic scars, keloids, recurrence of the disease. Operating contractures are most common within the shoulder joint. Average frequency of relapses is estimated at 2.5%. It mainly concerns the bottom area of the breast – 50%, groins and perineum – 37% [15]. It is reported that a surgical technique also influences the therapeutic failure apart from the location. Some authors [13] report that in the flap techniques in the area of armpits, the percentage of recurrence is about 40. In groins – when stapling wound – 12.5%, with flap technique – 33%, and with using transplants, the recurrences were not observed. In the anogenital area, in the flap technique no recurrences were observed and similarly when using transplants to cover the wound on the trunk and in the area of buttocks.

Recommendations of therapies for particular disease stages are as follows [13, 24–26]:

1. I stage according to Hurley: radical surgical resection of tissues occupied by a disease process (excision of single changes is not recommended), healing by a primary stapling of wounds, periodical drainage;

2. II and III stage according to Hurley: radical surgical resection of tissues occupied by a disease process up to muscle fascia (sometimes deeper), thorough removal of fistulas, primary or secondary stapling of the wound, possibly additionally postoperative pharmacotherapy.

Additional recommendations are: nicotine abstinence, local use of disinfectants, periodic antibiotic therapy (controversial), oral isotretinoin 0.6–1.0 mg/kg/day 3 months before the surgery (treatment should be completed 2–3 days before the planned surgery) [13, 15, 27–29].

Conclusions

This article tries to present the latest theory concerning the etiology of inverted acne and methods of its treatment. It also describes the most common errors in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, which are mainly connected with repeated and long antibiotic therapy and not radical surgical treatment.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.