Surgery combined with photodynamic therapy in the treatment of disfiguring acne inversa: the efficacy of reconditioning

A 16-year-old male suffering from repetitive papules, pustules, nodules and abscesses of the scalp, face, and neck for one year was admitted to our hospital. The lesions had gradually diffused and thickened on the scalp and face to produce the appearance of cutis verticis gyrata. An examination showed widely distributed scattered papules, nodules, pustules, abscesses, sinuses and scarring, with a trench-like appearance on the scalp, face, and neck. The patient was diagnosed with acne inversa with secondary cutis verticis gyrata. Corticosteroids, minocycline, and isotretinoin were orally administered, but the patient developed resistance to each drug. The patient had no other complicating disease, history of infection, or family genetic history