Radiodensities in Long-Standing Acne

To the Editor.— Roentgenographic identification of opaque deposits in the soft tissues of patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris has been described in the dermatologic literature. 1 These densities, in some cases, represent true metaplastic bone formation 2 and are clinically significant, while in other cases, the deposits are clinically obscure and may represent only dystrophic calcification. 3 These osteomas can be demonstrated by soft-tissue roentgenograms. Report of a Case.— A 19-year-old woman had had moderately severe acne of the face and back for approximately seven years. The condition was under fairly good control, with a few comedones and pustules, and she showed minimal scarring over her cheeks. In the area of acne involvement, multiple 1- 2-mm pigmented, firm nodules were noted. Nine of these nodules were incised and the osteomas removed (Fig 1). Tangential roentgenograms of the face showed the osteomas as multiple soft-tissue radiodensities (Fig 2). Comment.—