Intermammary Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Considerations on a Unique Presentation

Abstract

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a potentially disabling chronic inflammatory disease. The intermammary location, not clearly specified in the usual phenotypic classifications, entails significant functional and cosmetic compromise. Case Presentation: Eleven cases of predominantly intermammary disease with multiple fistulization and disfiguring scarring were observed at our Department between January 2016 and March 2020. They were young (mean age = 22 years) obese or overweight women, in which the medical-surgical approach has led to variable results. Discussion/Conclusion: Intermammary HS possibly represents a unique phenotypic presentation, likely to be fistulizing and severe. We believe that anatomo-functional considerations, which can be paralleled to pilonidal sinus disease, contribute to its pathophysiology and striking appearance, and further emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary endeavor to reduce the morbidity associated with this seemingly overlooked location.