Low Back Pain in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Diagnosis Not to Miss!

We report the case of a patient suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa since puberty and complaining of chronic low back pain associated to altered sensitivity and muscular weakness in the right leg. A diagnosis of lumbosciatica was confirmed. Symptoms were not relieved after the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. A surgical decompression was then indicated but heavily debated. Indeed, extended inflammatory and fibrotic hidradenitis suppurativa lesions were located regarding the skin area eligible for the proposed surgery. A combined therapy with clindamycine/rifampicin was started and the surgery was postponed. A complete remission of the articular symptoms was observed 1 month after the start of the antibiotherapy and the inflammatory skin lesions were greatly improved. With the presentation of this clinical case, we would like to discuss the spectrum of rheumatic disorders associated to hidradenitis suppurativa that needs to be correctly diagnosed and taken into consideration in the therapeutic management of the patient. (c) 2018 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel