When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis

Anna Płaszczyńska; Martyna Sławińska; Tomasz Nowicki; Grzegorz Śmigielski; Roman Nowicki; Michał Sobjanek

doi:10.5114/dr.2021.108607

eISSN: 2084-9893
ISSN: 0033-2526

Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny

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3/2021
vol. 108

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abstract:

Case report

When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis

Anna Płaszczyńska

¹

,

Martyna Sławińska

¹

,

Tomasz K. Nowicki

²

,

Grzegorz Śmigielski

³

,

Roman J. Nowicki

¹

,

Michał Sobjanek

¹

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
2nd Department of Radiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland

Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2021, 108, 227–231

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2021.108607

Online publish date: 2021/08/26

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AMA

Płaszczyńska A, Sławińska M, Nowicki TK, Śmigielski G, Nowicki RJ, Sobjanek M. When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 2021;108(3):227-231. doi:10.5114/dr.2021.108607.

APA

Płaszczyńska, A., Sławińska, M., Nowicki, T. K., Śmigielski, G., Nowicki, R. J.,  & Sobjanek, M. (2021). When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 108(3), 227-231. https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2021.108607

Chicago

Płaszczyńska, Anna, Martyna Sławińska, Tomasz K Nowicki, Grzegorz Śmigielski, Roman J Nowicki,  and Michał Sobjanek. 2021. "When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis". Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny 108 (3): 227-231. doi:10.5114/dr.2021.108607.

Harvard

Płaszczyńska, A., Sławińska, M., Nowicki, T., Śmigielski, G., Nowicki, R.,  and Sobjanek, M. (2021). When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, 108(3), pp.227-231. https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2021.108607

MLA

Płaszczyńska, Anna et al. "When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis." Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny, vol. 108, no. 3, 2021, pp. 227-231. doi:10.5114/dr.2021.108607.

Vancouver

Płaszczyńska A, Sławińska M, Nowicki T, Śmigielski G, Nowicki R, Sobjanek M. When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis. Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny. 2021;108(3):227-231. doi:10.5114/dr.2021.108607.

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Introduction
Pediculosis capitis is a common parasitic disease that occurs most frequently in childhood. The main symptom is pruritus of the scalp. Serious, life-threating complications have been rarely reported in literature.

Objective
To present severe complications of neglected pediculosis capitis and utility of dermoscopy in making a final diagnosis.

Case report
A 38-year-old woman presented to emergency department with the presence of painful, unilateral neck tumor and fever as well as multiple, painful ulcers within the scalp and neck. Based on clinical and computed tomography assessment phlegmon and abscess of the neck were diagnosed. After dermatological assessment, based on clinical and dermoscopic assessment, active pediculosis capitis with secondary bacterial infection was recognized – the most probable initial cause of the life-threating bacterial complications.

Conclusions
Pediculosis capitis is generally associated with a very good prognosis, however when accompanied with particular comorbidities or neglect it can lead to serious complications.

keywords:

When dermoscopy supports the final diagnosis. A phlegmon and abscess of the neck as a complication of pediculosis capitis

Anna Płaszczyńska 1 , Martyna Sławińska 1 , Tomasz K. Nowicki 2 , Grzegorz Śmigielski 3 , Roman J. Nowicki 1 , Michał Sobjanek 1

dermoscopy, pediculosis capitis, complications, abscess, phlegmon

Anna Płaszczyńska

¹

,

Martyna Sławińska

¹

,

Tomasz K. Nowicki

²

,

Grzegorz Śmigielski

³

,

Roman J. Nowicki

¹

,

Michał Sobjanek

¹