Atypical pediatric presentation of alopecic and aseptic nodules of the scalp with features of dissecting cellulitis

Abstract

AbstractAlopecic and aseptic nodules of the scalp (AANS) and dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) are rare, closely related conditions of young men that exclusively affect the hair‐bearing scalp. We describe a 9‐year‐old boy who presented with a 6‐year history of chronically relapsing, sterile, partially scarring nodules of the scalp and facial skin. Histopathology revealed mixed inflammatory infiltrates consisting of neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in the deep dermis, consistent with the morphological pattern of suppurative, partly granulomatous dermatitis. The present atypical case is characterized by prepubertal onset and facial involvement which, to our knowledge, has not yet been described before, may be included in the spectrum of “typical” AANS and “typical” DCS.