Acne keloidalis nuchae. Tissue expansion treatment.

BACKGROUND

Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a chronic idiopathic reaction responsible for a great deal of discomfort in patients, and requires radical treatment to be eradicated.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the technique used for and the results of a case of AKN treated with tissue expansion, which was tracked for 2 years after the initial study.

METHODS

A patient with AKN was treated with chronic tissue expansion, total resection, and reconstruction of the injured area by advancing the flap of the expanded scalp. Local radiotherapy was applied to the resultant scar.

RESULTS

After 2 years' follow-up we did not observe a recurrence of AKN, and a good cosmetic result was achieved.

CONCLUSION

Tissue expansion has a role in surgical management of AKN. Staged excision, skin grafting, and nonsurgical treatments are also options, however they must be individualized to the case at hand.