Interdigital pilonidal sinus of the foot: a peculiar place for a common lesion
Van Bemmelen, C.M.; Schok, T.; Elshof, J.W.M.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 162
2018
ISSN/ISBN: 1876-8784 PMID: 30020571 Document Number: 695560
Besides the natal cleft, a pilonidal sinus can also occur in other areas of the body. An uncommon place is the interdigital web space of the toes. A sinus can arise due to penetration of the skin by a hair. The only curative treatment is surgical excision. A 55-year-old man was referred by the GP with an inflammation between his toes. On physical examination we saw a skin defect with hairs and granulation tissue between the fourth and fifth toes of the right foot. It was decided to surgically excise the affected area. Histopathological examination showed a chronical, fibrosing inflammation surrounding a free hair structure, consistent with a pilonidal sinus. The lesion was probably caused by dog hairs, in combination with poor personal hygiene. This patient had a pilonidal sinus at an uncommon site. In the event of poorly-understood inflammation between the toes, a pilonidal sinus should be considered.