Treatment of dissecting cellulitis of the scalp with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: a retrospective multicentre study

Abstract

Abstract Although retinoids are considered as the most effective treatment, management of dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS) is often challenging. A multicentre retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents in treating DCS after failure of other conventional treatments. Twenty-six patients were included. After a mean treatment duration of 19 months (SD 21), the median Physician’s Global Assessment score decreased from 3 to 1. The median number of inflammatory nodules and abscesses decreased from 7 to 0.5 and from 1 to 0, respectively. The median Dermatology Life Quality Index and numerical rating scale score for pain severity decreased from 10 to 8 and 6 to 1, respectively. The median treatment satisfaction was 7 out of 10 on the Patient Satisfaction Index. This study confirms the efficacy of anti-TNF agents in treating patients with DCS that is resistant to conventional therapies.