The efficacy of electrosurgery and excision in treating patients with multiple apocrine hidrocystomas

BACKGROUND. Apocrine hidrocystomas are adenomatous cystic proliferations of the apocrine glands. They typically occur as solitary lesions, though rare ly may occur as multiple lesions. Management of multiple hidrocystomas can be difficult, particularly,if they are large. Surgical modalities may be re quired for effective therapy. OBJECTIVE. TO compare the results of electrosurgery and excision in-treatin g multiple apocrine hidrocystomas. METHODS. A 50-year-old man presented with multiple apocrine hidrocystomas r anging in size from 1 to 12 mm. The lesions were located over the periorbit al skin, cheeks, and pinnae. Excision and electrodessication were utilized for therapy. At a 1-year follow-up, the patient was evaluated for recurrenc es and cosmetic result. RESULTS. There were no recurrences until 1 year after surgery. In the areas treated with electrodessication, no visible scars were identified. In the areas treated with excision, localized scars were observed. CONCLUSIONS. Both electrodessiation and excision are effective therapies fo r multiple apocrine hidrocystomas. We suggest that tumors less than 1 cm be treated with electrodessication and lesions greater than 1 cm with excisio n.