Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2010 Nov;41(5):312-318.

Two Cases of Pyoderma Gangrenosum Associated with Recurrent Ulcerative Colitis

• Kwon YH
• Kim JW
• Park SY
• Kim MY
• Kim HS
• Baik SK
• Abdul-Ghafar J
• Cho MY

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) begins with a painful, erythematous skin lesion followed by pustule formation and rapid ulceration in which an erythematous border surrounds a sterile, necrotic center. In most patients, symptoms of ulcerative colitis precede PG, and exacerbations of the bowel disease frequently correlate with worsening of the skin lesions. As PG is not commonly encountered by clinicians, the diagnosis of such lesions is not always straightforward. This case emphasizes the importance of detailed history taking and the consideration of PG as a differential diagnosis of such lesions in patients with a background of related systemic disease. The prognosis of PG is generally good. But, early aggressive therapy can minimize severe complications, and maintenance treatment may prevent some devastating consequences. We report two cases of PG that developed on the entire body and on an anterior chest wall abscess with ulcerative colitis, which improved with corticosteroid and cyclosporine.

Keyword

Pyoderma gangrenosum; Ulcerative colitis; Corticosteroid; Cyclosporine

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Colitis, Ulcerative
Cyclosporine
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Prognosis
Pyoderma
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Skin
Thoracic Wall
Ulcer
Cyclosporine