Case Report: Multiple Scalp Abscesses Due to Mycobacterium Abscessus Infection Following Triamcinolone Injection in an Immunocompetent Person

    August 2022 in “ American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ”
    Monalisa Mohanty, Baijayantimala Mishra, Chandra Sekhar Sirka, Prasanta Raghab Mohapatra
    TLDR Scalp abscesses can occur after hair loss treatments and may be caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.
    A 29-year-old man developed multiple scalp abscesses after receiving triamcinolone acetonide injections to treat hair loss. The abscesses contained gelatinous material, which tested positive for acid-fast bacilli and was identified as Mycobacterium abscessus complex. The patient was treated with amikacin, moxifloxacin, and azithromycin, resulting in lesion improvement and no recurrence over a year of follow-up. This case highlights the need for suspicion of nontuberculous mycobacteria infections in patients with scalp abscesses following hair loss treatments.
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