A 10-year-old boy presents with a boggy, tender, fluctuant mass on the scalp with multiple pustular follicular orifices and cervical lymphadenopathy. KOH preparation of hair shows endothrix pattern with arthroconidia filling the hair shaft. What is this scalp lesion called?

• A Tinea capitis (black dot type)
• B Favus
• C Kerion celsi ✓
• D Majocchi's granuloma

Explanation

Kerion celsi is an inflammatory fungal infection of the scalp, usually caused by zoophilic dermatophytes like Trichophyton verrucosum or T. mentagrophytes. It presents as a boggy, tender mass with multiple discharging follicular pores, causing scarring alopecia if untreated. It represents an exaggerated host immune response (cell-mediated hypersensitivity) to the fungal antigen rather than a secondary bacterial infection. Treatment is systemic antifungals (griseofulvin or terbinafine); antibiotics are not indicated.

Reference: Neena Khanna Illustrated Synopsis of Dermatology & STD, 6th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.