A 19-year-old male presents with rapidly worsening acne, fever, and Joint Pain. Explore this rare and severe variant of inflammatory acne.
A 19-year-old man with a history of mild acne vulgaris presented with a 10-day history of rapidly worsening acne, along with fever, muscle aches, and knee pain. His temperature was 38.5°C. On physical examination, diffuse papulonodular and pustular lesions with areas of overlying crusting were noted across the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. There were similar lesions on the neck, shoulders, chest, back, and thighs. Laboratory studies were notable for neutrophilic leukocytosis and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level. A culture of a skin swab grew only Cutibacterium acnes. Histopathological examination of a skin-biopsy specimen taken from behind the left ear showed suppurative folliculitis with adjacent dermal edema. What is the most likely diagnosis?
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Acne fulminans, Acne Vulgaris, Dermatology, Suppurative Folliculitis, Systemic Symptoms
