INTRODUCTION
Rosacea fulminans (RF) is a rare and severe form of rosacea characterized by the
sudden eruption of coalescing papules and pustules, and large cystic nodules limited
almost exclusively to the face of young women.1,2 Patients typically respond well to
systemic isotretinoin in combination with topical and systemic corticosteroids,
though use of systemic antibiotics has also been described.1,3,4 With appropriate management, lesions may
resolve with minimal scarring, and recurrence has not been reported.1,2
We describe an unusual case of an elderly male with extrafacial RF successfully treated with daily subantimicrobial (40mg) dose doxycycline (SDD), a therapy, to our knowledge, not yet reported for this condition.
CASE REPORT
An 80-year-old male with a history of erythemotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea,
emphysema, and cardiovascular disease presented with a 3- to 4-year progressive, pruritic
eruption on his chest, abdomen, and arms. At the time of presentation he was in mid-course
of 100mg doxycycline twice daily. He was previously treated with topical betamethasone, benzoyl peroxide,
2% Erythromycin solution, and pramasone with no improvement.
His current medications included metoprolol, dabigatran, tiotropium bromide inhaler,
and amiodarone. Other than Penicillin, he reported no history of drug, food, or pet
allergies; and he denied prior chemical or environmental exposures.
A complete review of systems was otherwise negative.
Examination revealed erythematous, slightly scaly, confluent plaques punctated with pustules and hyperkeratotic papules over
the chest, abdomen, arms, and face (Figure 1). Our differential diagnosis included infectious,
allergic, and autoimmune dermatoses. Brief trials of oral fluconazole (200 mg/day) followed by
doxycycline (100mg twice daily) were empirically administered for a presumed fungal or bacterial folliculitis;
however, minimal clinical improvement was noted on short-term follow-up.
Patch testing, laboratory tests, and wound cultures were negative.
A punch biopsy of the upper left shoulder revealed a dense infiltrate of neutrophils
within the papillary and upper reticular dermis with occasional granulomas comprised of epithelioid and
multinucleated histiocytes (Figure 2), consistent with a diagnosis of RF.
Given the lack of a demonstrable infectious etiology, subantimicrobial-dose
(40mg daily) Doxycycline (SDD) was initiated pending biopsy reports.
Substantial clinical improvement was noted at one-month follow-up
with a complete response after 7 months of SDD therapy (Figure 3).
DISCUSSION
Rosacea fulminans (RF), also known as pyoderma faciale, is a rare disease first
reported in 1940 as the acute onset of clinical features localized to the face of
young women.5 Scarce exceptions with respect
to gender and anatomic propensity have since been reported.6-8
Characterized by the sudden eruption of coalescing papules and pustules, and large cystic nodules limited to the face,
immunological, hormonal, and vascular factors have all been suggested as causative factors; however, the etiology of
RF remains unknown.9-13 Reported cases have also suggested its association
with various vitamins and medications, and its in-
