Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating auto-inflammatory condition which typically occurs in the skin folds of the body such as the axilla, groin, gluteal and perianal regions. It is characterized by painful nodules which can develop fistulas and abscesses. Disease affecting the perianal region in particular requires multi-disciplinary input due to involvement of deeper structures. The HS multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings held at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) are held with the collaboration of dermatology, plastic surgery, colorectal surgery and radiology teams to manage complex HS cases across Queensland. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice at this unit for patients with complex anogenital disease. An additional unique service that is offered at PAH is three-dimensional (3D) virtual modeling using these MRI scans. We believe that this provides a valuable tool for the MDT team in decision making and also for patients to better understand their disease. We aim to present a case series of eight patients with complex anogenital HS who received 3D virtual modeling of their MRI scans and outline our workflow for referrals. DISCUSSION: We believe that 3D virtual reconstructions of MRI scans for complex anogenital HS cases are valuable in assisting decision making for clinicians. We hope that with ongoing optimizations in MRI sequences and advancements in 3D technology, this can become a more readily available tool for clinicians involved in the treatment of HS.