Akute akne fulminans et conglobata nach beendigung einer hochdosierten testosterontherapie bei konstitutionellem hochwuchs

We report on a 13.2 years old boy who was treated for tail stature (expected target height of 204.8 ±5.4 cm)with high dose of testosterone. Therapy for height reduction was started with testosterone injections (250 mg Testoviron Depot i.m.) once a week. There occurred no side effects during 6 months of treatment. Maximal blood testosterone concentration was 1209 ng/dl (norm: 300-1000 ng/dl). After six months height reduction was successful with a final height of 192.7 cm. Four weeks after cessation of therapy a severe ache conglobata et fulminans appeared in the face, the back and the breast lacking any familial predisposition for ache or other skin diseases. The exacerbation was accompanied by decreased endurance, nausea and indisposition. Leucocytosis with left shift, elevation of blood sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in addition with an increase of immunoglobulin G (IgG) were detectable. At that time testosterone concentration was 192 ng/dl. Systemic treatment was started with isoretretinoin therapy (retinoid 13-cis retinacid (Roaccutan) 0.3 mg/kg), 8 mg methylprednisolon (Urbason) and cefaclor (Panoral). Local therapy included external disinfectants. After 4 months of treatment infection parameters disappeared and the acne healed with visible skin defects and severe scars. This is the first case report on acne conglobata et fulminans that appeared after cessation of testosterone therapy. High testosterone treatment seems to trigger the outbreak of sex hormone related skin disorders such as acne fulminans. It can be presumed that testosterone leads to longer lasting induction of androgen receptors resulting in acne fulminans even four weeks after treatment. Patients asking for hormonal height reduction should be aware of this rare but serious side effect.