Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
05:39

Dermoscopy Aids in the Diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Published on: May 16, 2025

245

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
PubMed

Insights

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.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Minimally Invasive Relief for Occipital Neuralgia at the Nuchal Line04:06

Author Spotlight: Minimally Invasive Relief for Occipital Neuralgia at the Nuchal Line

Published on: September 13, 2024

2.3K
Author Spotlight: Anterior HR-OCT as a Non-Invasive Tool for Characterizing Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia06:15

Author Spotlight: Anterior HR-OCT as a Non-Invasive Tool for Characterizing Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

Published on: August 9, 2024

1.4K

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
4.8K
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands01:21

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Sebaceous Glands

A sebaceous gland is a type of oil gland found almost all over the skin ( except palms and soles) and helps lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair. Most sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles. They generate and excrete sebum, a mixture of lipids, onto the skin surface, thereby naturally lubricating the dry and dead layer of keratinized cells of the stratum corneum, keeping it pliable.
These glands that produce the oils on the skin and hair are holocrine glands. The mature...
2.6K
Sutures of the Skull01:22

Sutures of the Skull

The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
8.1K
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
4.4K
Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View01:14

Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View

The superior view of the cranium shows the frontal and paired parietal bones.
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
3.2K
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
456