ACNE CONGLOBATA

Acne conglobata (AC) is an uncommon variant of acne that typically affects the cheeks, trunk and buttocks. In contrast to typical acne, AC usually persists well into the adult years.

• Onset is usually in early adulthood.
• Much scarring of the cheeks and back is typical.
  
• Some patients with AC have been reported to have a peripheral oligoarthritis.
  
• AC is often part of the follicular occlusion triad along with dissecting cellulitis of the scalp and hidradenitis superativa.
• Some patients with HIV have been reported to have AC and a generalized lichen spinulosis-like eruption.

Numerous comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, abscesses, and draining sinus tracts involving the cheeks, chest, back and buttocks are typical. The lesion characteristic of AC is the larger comedone with multiple openings (agminated or bridged comedone). The patient tends to develop much scarring over time. Although there is overlap with hidradenitis superativa (HS), HS tends to involve the body folds (e.g., occluded areas of the breasts, axilla, and groin).

A bridged comedone--a single lesion with multiple openings.

RegionalDerm

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