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Unilateral ulcerations on the forehead and scalp
Sara Tormo-Mainar1, David Pesqué1, Ferran Olmos-Alpiste1
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|March 28, 2022
Summary
This case report details a patient who developed unilateral forehead and scalp ulcerations three months post-herpes zoster infection. Histological examination revealed epidermal and dermal ulceration with a mild inflammatory infiltrate.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus.
- Cutaneous manifestations of herpes zoster typically resolve within weeks, but postherpetic complications can occur.
Observation:
- A patient presented with unilateral ulcerations on the forehead and scalp.
- These lesions appeared three months after a confirmed herpes zoster infection.
Findings:
- Extensive investigations, including microbiological and immunological tests, yielded unremarkable results.
- Histopathological analysis of the ulcerated skin demonstrated epidermal and upper dermal ulceration.
- A mild, nonspecific dermal inflammatory infiltrate, comprising lymphoid cells and histiocytes, was noted.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare, delayed cutaneous complication following herpes zoster.
- The findings suggest a potential non-viral inflammatory process contributing to ulceration in the post-herpetic period.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact pathogenesis of such delayed ulcerations.
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