Follicular occlusion tetrad

The follicular occlusion tetrad (FOT) refers to a group of four chronic, relapsing inflammatory disorders of the hair follicle. These conditions share a common pathophysiological mechanism of follicular hyperkeratinization, followed by follicular occlusion. These disorders often coexist or occur sequentially in the same patient and are characterized by recurrent abscess formation, sinus tract development, and scarring in regions rich in apocrine glands.[1][2]

The tetrad comprises four interrelated disorders, each involving follicular occlusion, rupture, and secondary inflammation.[3]

  • Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS): Chronic, relapsing inflammation of hair follicles in apocrine-bearing areas, producing nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts.[4]
  • Acne conglobata: Severe nodulocystic acne with interconnected abscesses and scarring, often involving the trunk and face.
  • Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp: Suppurative scalp disorder characterized by painful nodules and scarring alopecia.
  • Pilonidal disease: Recurrent sinus formation in the sacrococcygeal region caused by follicular occlusion and inflammation.

References

  1. ^ "Follicular occlusion syndrome". DermNet NZ. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2025.
  2. ^ Kang, Seok Joo; Kim, Yoon Seok (2014). "Follicular occlusion tetrad: A case report and review of the literature". Annals of Dermatology. 26 (4): 520–523. doi:10.5021/ad.2014.26.4.520. PMC 4228650. PMID 25143650.
  3. ^ Treadwell, Scout; Green, Maxwell; Feschuk, Aileen; Valdebran, Manuel (4 April 2024). "Understanding patient demographics and treatment strategies observed in the follicular occlusion triad and tetrad". Archives of Dermatological Research. 316 (4) 117. doi:10.1007/s00403-024-02852-1. PMID 38573444.
  4. ^ Frew, John W.; Navrazhina, Kristina; Krueger, James G. (2020). "Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and other disorders of 'follicular occlusion'". Stiehm's Immune Deficiencies. pp. 773–786. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-816768-7.00033-8. ISBN 978-0-12-816768-7.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.