Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Emergency Medicine Treatment & Management

  • Author: Diana Fite, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 3, 2012
 

Emergency Department Care

  • The nodules of hidradenitis suppurativa may need to be drained in the emergency department, particularly if they are very large, fluctuant, and painful.
  • Antibiotics are indicated if cellulitis or fever is present, and the patient should be admitted if he or she appears to be toxic.
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Consultations

  • General surgery
    • Surgical consultation may be obtained for removal of sinus tracts, curettage, and exteriorization of the gland.
    • Excision and skin grafting may be helpful for severe intractable cases. Also, surgery should be considered in early cases because the area to excise is smaller and less damaged from recurrences.
    • The CO2 laser has been used to strip away glandular tissue. Healing is by secondary intention.
  • Radiation treatment has also been used for this condition.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Diana Fite, MD, FACEP  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Hermann Hospital

Diana Fite, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Women Emergency Physicians, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert M McNamara, MD, FAAEM  Chair and Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine

Robert M McNamara, MD, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Mark W Fourre, MD  Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Vermont School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

References

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