Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp

This case of an elderly woman with a rapidly growing lesion of her scalp that developed several months after treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma with Mohs micrographic surgery illustrates a known precipitating trigger of erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp. This report describes the clinical stages of the disease and their corresponding histologic findings. It reviews the epidemiology and proposed etiology of this erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp. The differential diagnoses of scalp disease are extensive. An approach to evaluating scalp dermatoses through physical examination, laboratory testing and pathology findings will be discussed. Finally, treatment of this chronic condition, including both patient education and medical management, is detailed.