A Case Report of Pyoderma Chronica Capillitii Successfully Treated with Shokenchuto and Hainosankyuto / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

We report a case of pyoderma chronica capillitii successfully treated with shokenchuto. The patient was a 20-­year-­old man, who had been suffering from an abscess and hair loss in the occipital region of his scalp for the past 6 months ; the lesion was gradually enlarging and was 3×3 cm in diameter at presentation. He was di­agnosed with pyoderma chronica capillitii by a dermatologist and treated with puncture and drainage, multiple courses of oral antibiotics, and focal injections of tetracycline twice, with no beneficial response. Furthermore, another similar abscess with hair loss appeared on his occipital scalp and a new similar nodule appeared on his right cheek. He consulted my clinic to receive Kampo therapy. His abdominal examination revealed spasm of the bilateral rectus abdominis ; his abdomen was remarkably hypersensitive. He felt tickling intensely on ab­dominal palpation. Based on these findings, he was treated with shokenchuto, and hainosankyuto was added to relieve his symptoms. After a month of therapy, the nodule on his cheek disappeared, and several months later, the two occipital lesions improved and growth of new hair was noted. With continued treatment, his scalp and hair lesions healed completely and no recurrence was noted. To our knowledge, there is no previous report on the treatment of pyoderma chronica capillitii with shokenchuto. Based on the Kampo diagnostic pattern, Kampo medicine can be a beneficial therapeutic option for pyoderma chronica in cases where standard treatments are ineffective.