Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
03:10
A Rat Model of Compound Acne
Published on: November 1, 2024
Perioral abscess associated with isotretinoin
Kenneth Beer1, Hillary Oakley, Jill Waibel
1University of Miami, Department of Dermatology, Miami, FL, USA. Kenbeer@aol.com
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD
|November 10, 2009
Summary
Isotretinoin, used for severe acne, can cause rare perioral abscesses. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial for this uncommon complication, which may mimic other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe scarring acne is commonly treated with isotretinoin.
- Patients may experience common side effects like mucositis and Staphylococcus colonization.
- Less common complications can occur in a small subset of patients.
Observation:
- This article details a unique case of a severe perioral abscess in a patient undergoing isotretinoin treatment.
- The abscess onset mimicked symptoms of angioedema or severe mucositis.
- The extent and severity of the reported abscess are noteworthy.
Findings:
- Perioral abscess formation is an uncommon but significant adverse event associated with isotretinoin therapy.
- Staphylococcus colonization during treatment may contribute to abscess development.
- Early identification and management of perioral abscesses are essential.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider perioral abscesses in patients on isotretinoin presenting with facial swelling or severe mucositis-like symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe complications.
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing rare adverse events associated with isotretinoin therapy.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Acne Infection
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
01:15Non-Oral Extravascular Drug Absorption Routes
Non-oral extravascular routes, which encompass sublingual, buccal, topical, intramuscular, and inhalation methods, primarily utilize passive diffusion to transport drugs into the systemic circulation. The absorption rates and effectiveness of these routes depend on the drug's physicochemical properties, as well as the patient's anatomical and pathophysiological state.
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more effectively...
Lipophilic drugs that are stable at salivary pH (6) and exhibit minimal binding to the oral mucosa are absorbed more effectively...
01:24Lipid Absorption
Dietary triglycerides from chyme in the duodenum are mixed with bile salts produced by the liver to emulsify fats. As a result, large droplets are broken down into smaller ones, increasing the surface area for enzymatic action. Once emulsified, pancreatic lipases hydrolyze the triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides.
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...
01:27The Skin Microbiota
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...