Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp Successfully Treated with Infliximab
April 2012
TLDR Infliximab was effective in treating a scalp condition that did not respond to other treatments.
A 27-year-old white male with a 4-year history of dissecting cellulitis of the scalp (DCS), characterized by pustules, tender plaques, and scarring alopecia, was unresponsive to conventional treatments including systemic steroids, antibiotics, dapsone, and isotretinoin. The patient was then treated with Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets tumor necrosis factor-alpha, following the licensed psoriasis protocol (5 mg/kg on weeks 0, 2, 6, and then every 8 weeks). This treatment led to a significant reduction in discharge, swelling, and discomfort without any adverse events. The case suggests that Infliximab should be considered for refractory cases of DCS.
