Multiple Pilonidal Sinuses of Both Hands in a Dog Groomer: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: Pilonidal sinus of the hand is an occupational hazard for barbers, cow milkers, sheep shearers and dog groomers. Here, we report on a dog groomer who had four pilonidal sinuses.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old woman working as a dog groomer complained of multiple non-erythematous and fluctuant nodules on both hands, associated with pain, which had been identified five years previously. On the skin of her right hand, three nodules were observed on the volar (diameter: 1.5 cm) and medial (diameter: 1.4 cm) sides of fifth metacarpophalangeal joint and the volar aspect of the distal phalanx of the small finger (diameter: 0.7 cm). On the left hand, a 2-cm diameter nodule was identified on the volar side of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint region. The nodules were excised surgically. A 5-mm long hair was removed from one nodule. Histopathology confirmed pilonidal sinus, treated by excision. One month postoperatively, the wound had healed uneventfully.

CONCLUSION: When nodules are found in dog groomers, clinicians should consider the possibility of pilonidal sinus disease.