Phenolization Promising, Cost-Effective Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Sinus Tracts: Pilot Study Finds
France: In a recent pilot study, researchers are investigating the efficacy of phenolization as a treatment for sinus tracts associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition that often results in painful abscesses and scarring.
The study, which highlights phenolization as a potential game-changer suggests that this method may provide a quick, cost-effective, and safe therapeutic option for patients struggling with HS-related fistulas. The findings were published online in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
Hidradenitis suppurativa predominantly affects areas rich in sweat glands, such as the armpits and groin, leading to painful lumps and recurrent sinus tracts. Traditional treatment options can be invasive and often require surgical intervention. In the pilot study, Céline Eldani, Department of Dermatology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France, and colleagues sought to explore phenolization—a chemical procedure involving the application of phenol to the affected tissue—as a less invasive alternative. They evaluated the safety and efficacy of phenol application for treating fistulas in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
Twelve patients with 22 fistulas were treated under local anesthesia using an 88% aqueous phenol swab applied three times inside each fistula. At least half of the patients showed improvement in fistula symptoms based on various criteria at baseline and during a follow-up visit one month after the procedure. Most patients were able to resume their daily activities shortly after treatment and experienced healing within two weeks, with no serious adverse events reported.
As hidradenitis suppurativa remains a challenging condition with limited treatment options, the pilot study represents a promising step toward enhancing patient care.
The study advocates for phenolization as a viable therapeutic option for managing sinus tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
"Phenolization could serve as a fast, affordable, safe, and effective treatment option for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa fistulas," the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Eldani, C., Cirotteau, P., Beylot-Barry, M., & Cogrel, O. Phenolization as a treatment option for sinus tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa: A pilot study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20363
