Pyoderma gangrenosum: a review with special emphasis on Latin America literature

Pyoderma gangrenosum: a 22-year follow-up of patients in a tertiary reference hospital in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare dermatosis often associated with systemic diseases. There are autoinflammatory mechanisms with neutrophilic infiltrate and necrosis. Due to the high morbidity, variable response to therapy and lack of treatment standardization, PG constitutes a highly burdensome condition.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features and response to therapy of patients with PG followed at HCFMUSP.

METHODS

This retrospective and descriptive study included patients with confirmed PG under follow-up at HCFMUSP from January 2000 to August 2021. Data were retrieved from medical records.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were included. The mean time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 26.5 months. Lesions predominated on the lower extremity in 72% (n = 36/50), and the ulcerative type was the most common (n = 43/50; 86%). Local pain was mentioned in 39/50 (78%) and 12/50 (24%) presented pathergy. The most frequently associated diseases were inflammatory bowel disease (n = 10/20; 20%) and hidradenitis suppurativa (n = 10/20; 20%). High-dose systemic corticosteroid was mostly the first therapy (88%), either alone (n = 7/50; 14%) or in association with classic immunosuppressants or immunobiologicals (n = 37; 74%). Most patients (n = 32/50; 64%) had at least one hospitalization. Disease control was achieved in 44/50 (88%), with recurrences in 48% (n = 24/50) and total healing without medication in 24% (n = 12). Sixteen patients (32%) were treated with at least 1 immunobiological agent in addition to classic drugs.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

Retrospective, descriptive design and number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There was delay in diagnosis, association with systemic and cutaneous conditions, and the need for prolonged immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapy (classic agents and also biologic agents) to control PG.

Clinical Mimickers Misdiagnosed as Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, ulcerative, neutrophilic dermatosis that can be challenging to diagnose. Diagnosis of PG is clinical due to a lack of specific histopathologic, immunologic, or imaging findings associated with the disease, although several clinical frameworks exist to guide diagnosis. However, misdiagnosis of PG is frequent and leads to increased patient morbidity and mortality. This article highlights common mimickers of PG and offers clinical pearls to aid in accurate diagnosis with the goal of decreasing diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis and improving patient outcomes.

Leishmaniasis masquerading as pyoderma gangrenosum in a non-endemic area: A case report

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) can be difficult to diagnose, leading to diagnostic delay which affects patient outcomes and increases health care utilization. Among different scenarios of diagnostic delay, atypical infections can mimic PG. Here, we present a case of extensive cutaneous leishmaniasis initially misdiagnosed as the superficial granulomatous variant of PG and describe diagnostic clues to aid in differentiation.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum, a Challenging Postpartum Diagnosis-Case Report and Literature Review

Background/Objectives: The infrequent occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) during pregnancy and in postpartum, with its subsequent diagnostic intricacies, caused us to present the following case. Methods: This article describes a rare case of PG in postpartum in a patient without any prior pathology and a short review of the literature, aiming to identify similar rare instances. Results: We conducted a literature review to ascertain the prevalence of postpartum pyoderma gangrenosum, and we identified a total of 41 cases. Conclusions: Our article underlines again the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for the prompt identification and commencement of necessary therapeutic interventions in postpartum women afflicted by pyoderma gangrenosum.

Atypical Forms of Pyoderma Gangrenosum in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Report of Four Cases and Literature Review

Background

Cutaneous involvement is the second-most frequent extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) a particularly relevant form because of its frequency, morbidity, and recurrence. The limited number of clinical trials involving PG increases the challenge to gastroenterologists in the management of this condition.

Case Presentation

Four cases of atypical presentations of PG are reported. A 25-year-old patient with ulcerative colitis presented an extensive chronic ulcerative lesion on her left leg that was associated with significant bleeding; the intestinal disease was in remission under the use of azathioprine. The patient was on long-term use of 60 mg corticosteroid with no improvement in the skin disease; however, initiation of cyclosporine induced remission. In the second case, a 52-year-old woman was a carrier of Crohn’s disease, with a history of partial colectomy. The patient’s skin condition had evolved with a cutaneous lesion localized in the perineal region, buttocks, and colostomy pouch, simulating a case of impetigo, and this had been treated with antibiotic cycles without improvement. Lesion biopsy suggested a diagnosis of PG. Consequently, the patient was started on biological therapy with infliximab, and the PG regressed. In the third case, a 38-year-old woman with a history of pancolitis presented a picture of PG with an extensive and deep ulcerative lesion in the right breast. The lesion regressed after treatment with oral corticosteroid. The final case was a 44-year-old woman with Crohn’s disease suffering from Crohn’s disease pancolitis. The patient’s condition evolved with a mixed pattern with pustules, bullae, and ulcerative lesions in the vulva, oral cavity, gluteus, right auricular region, scalp, and left flank, and was resolved by administration of adalimumab.

Conclusion

PG is an important and frequent manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, with a spectrum of clinical variants, significant morbidity, and requiring a variety of therapeutic approaches.

[Current situation and the latest progress in the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum]

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare chronic inflammatory non-infectious skin dermatosis, and there is no clear treatment guideline for this disease at home and abroad. There are a variety of clinical treatment methods for PG, including local therapy and systemic application of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, intravenous immuno- globulin, and biologics. Glucocorticoids are the first-line drugs commonly used in clinical practice, and immunosuppressants can be used alone or in combination with glucocorticoids. In recent years, more and more evidence has shown that biologics are a new trend in the treatment of PG, mainly including tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors, interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, rituximab, and small molecular inhibitors. This article summarizes the current status and latest progress in the treatment of PG, hoping to provide clinicians with ideas for the treatment of PG.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Review of Updates in Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Management

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare entity that is characterized by infiltration of neutrophils into the dermis, causing the formation of rapidly enlarging, painful and necrotic skin ulcers. The pathophysiology of PG is still poorly understood. However, genetic, autoimmune and autoinflammatory mechanisms have been proposed that could potentially explain the etiology of this ulcerating skin disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment are key, as the disease course is rapidly progressive and can leave disfiguring, cribriform scars. However, the diagnosis of PG proves difficult, firstly because there are multiple variants of the disease and secondly because it is a clinical diagnosis and can appear similar to that of other diseases such as vasculitis, skin/soft tissue infections and malignancy. Additionally, there are no official diagnostic criteria to aid in the recognition of PG, which often leads to significant delays in diagnosis. The treatment of PG consists in immunosuppression. However, due to a lack of standardized guidelines, therapeutic regimens are usually dependent upon the individual clinician’s experience and are based on little evidence. Knowledge of the clinical features and pathophysiology of PG can aid in early diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies, which in turn results in improved patient outcomes.

Acne in the first three decades of life: An update of a disorder with profound implications for all decades of life

Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory, skin condition that involves the pilosebaceous follicles and is influenced by a variety of factors including genetics, androgen-stimulation of sebaceous glands with abnormal keratinization, colonization with Cutibacterium acnes (previously called Propionibacterium acnes), and pathological immune response to inflammation. Acne can occur at all ages and this discussion focuses on the first three decades of life. Conditions that are part of the differential diagnosis and/or are co-morbid with acne vulgaris are also considered. Acne in the first year of life includes neonatal acne (acne neonatorum) that presents in the first four weeks of life and infantile acne that usually presents between 3 and 6 months of the first year of life with a range of 3 to 16 months after birth. Acne rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory, skin condition that is distinct from acne vulgaris, typically presents in adults, and has four main types: erythemato-telangiectatic, papulopustular, phymatous and ocular. Treatment options for acne vulgaris include topical retinoids, topical benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics (topical, oral), oral contraceptive pills, isotretinoin, and others. Management must consider the increasing impact of antibiotic resistance in the 21st century. Psychological impact of acne can be quite severe and treatment of acne includes awareness of the potential emotional toll this disease may bring to the person with acne as well as assiduous attention to known side effects of various anti-acne medications (topical and systemic). Efforts should be directed at preventing acne-caused scars and depigmentation on the skin as well as emotional scars within the person suffering from acne.

The inpatient burden and comorbidities of pyoderma gangrenosum in adults in the United States

Hospital admission is often necessary for management of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), including wound care and pain control. No large-scale controlled studies examined the burden of hospitalization for PG. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, predictors, outcomes, and costs of hospitalization for PG in United States adults. Data were analyzed from the 2002 to 2012 National Inpatient Sample, including a 20% representative sample of United States hospitalizations. The prevalence of hospitalization for PG increased between 2002 and 2012. Primary admission for PG was associated with age 40-59 years, female sex, black race/ethnicity, second-quartile household income, public or no insurance, and multiple chronic conditions. PG admissions were more likely at teaching and medium or large hospitals. Geometric-mean length and cost of hospitalization were higher in inpatients with vs. without a primary diagnosis of PG. The majority of inpatients with PG were classified with minor (64.4%) or moderate (25.7%) likelihood of dying, but moderate (52.5%) and major (28.7%) loss of function. PG was associated with numerous other health disorders. The limitation of this study is the lack of data on PG treatment. This study demonstrated a substantial and increasing inpatient burden of PG in the United States, with considerable disability and mortality risk, multiple comorbid health disorders, and costs.