A case study of pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum in hematologic malignancies: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a devastating neutrophilic dermatosis that may be associated with trauma or systemic diseases. The associations, characteristics, and temporal relationship of PG with hematologic malignancies are not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

We performed a systematic review of PG associated with hematologic malignancies using data from case reports, case series, and retrospective studies.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science from each database's inception to December 12, 2018. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data.

RESULTS

Two hundred seventy-nine publications met the inclusion criteria (340 cases). Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) was the most commonly reported hematologic malignancy associated with PG, followed by monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and acute myeloid leukemia. The mean age of patients was 56.5 years, with males being more common. There was a predominance of the ulcerative PG subtype and multifocal distributions across all hematologic malignancies. The majority of MDS cases preceded PG, which was reversed for MGUS.

LIMITATIONS

The data were limited by reporting bias because PG subtypes rely on the rendered diagnosis reported. In addition, the classification for hematologic malignancies has evolved since 1978.

CONCLUSION

Patients with PG should be evaluated for hematologic malignancies, with MDS being the most common.

Postoperative Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Clinical Review of Published Cases

Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by PG at surgical incisions. It is often misdiagnosed as wound infection, and pathergy may complicate wound debridement. From September 1, 2013, through November 30, 2013, a literature search was conducted of articles published from January 1, 1978, through December 31, 2012. We referenced PubMed, MEDLINE, and Mayo Clinic Libraries using the keywords pyoderma gangrenosum, postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum, postsurgical pyoderma gangrenosum, superficial granulomatous pyoderma, pathergic pyoderma, and pyoderma gangrenosum associated with surgery, incision, breast, and wound dehiscence. In addition, all titles from PubMed with the words pyoderma gangrenosum were reviewed manually for postoperative cases. Of 136 patients, 90 (66%) did not have associated systemic diseases. If a comorbidity was present, hematologic disorders were most common. In addition, 29% (28) of women had predisposing disease vs 53% (19) of men. Women had more frequent breast involvement (P<.001); chest involvement was more common in men (P=.005). Girls and women aged 13 to 64 years had more frequent breast involvement (P=.01). Sites were distributed equally for men regardless of age (P=.40). Antibiotic drug therapy was begun and debridement occurred in 90% (110 of 122 treated patients) and 73% (90 of 123 available patients), respectively. Postoperative PG has less association with systemic disease than its nonpostoperative counterpart. Antibiotic drug therapy is routinely initiated. Affected sites are often debrided, causing additional wound breakdown. Early diagnosis may prevent complications.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: The Great Pretender and a Challenging Diagnosis

Background:

The initial presentation of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is virtually indistinguishable from a pyogenic infection, making debridement appear necessary. However, operative approaches often lead to exacerbation and rapid extension through pathergy.

Objective and Methods:

In attempts to increase awareness of this condition and minimize misdiagnoses, a review of published reports involving PG of the hand and digits was performed and included 35 patients in addition to our case of a 14-year-old female with a history of ulcerative colitis.

Results:

Of the total cases, 29 patients were misdiagnosed as having an infection and subsequently treated with antibiotics; 13 of these patients also had debridement of their lesions. Twenty-eight patients had associated medical conditions, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer.

Conclusion:

When approached with a rapidly growing ulcerated lesion that does not respond to operative therapy, the possibility of PG should be entertained and a high-dose corticosteroid regimen and/or immunomodulator therapy implemented.

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the hands: four new cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Isolated or predominantly hand involvement in Sweet's syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, or pustular vasculitis is a rare presentation in the spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses and is often associated with an occult malignancy or other systemic inflammatory disorder. When these disorders occur on the hands, they are often clinically indistinguishable, but they can sometimes be separated histologically by the presence of papillary dermal edema (Sweet's syndrome), ulceration and necrosis (pyoderma gangrenosum), or vasculitis (pustular vasculitis). These distinctions may be arbitrary, however, and reflect differences in the temporal course of the disease and in the degree of inflammation at the time of biopsy.

METHODS

We report four cases of neutrophilic dermatosis affecting the hands and a review of the literature for similar cases.

RESULTS

Of the four patients presented, two had associated carcinomas and one had myelodysplasia in transition to leukemia. The cutaneous symptoms preceded the finding of an occult malignancy. Thirty-two reported cases of neutrophilic dermatoses presenting on the hands showed clinicopathologic features similar to those in our series. Taken together, the mean age at diagnosis was 60.5 years, and 58% of the patients were female. Twenty-five per cent (nine patients) also had myelodysplasia or leukemia, 14% (five patients) ulcerative colitis, 6% (two patients) carcinoma, 6% (two patients) Crohn's disease, and 6% (two patients) seropositive arthritis.

CONCLUSIONS

These cases illustrate the importance of recognizing that neutrophilic dermatoses may present uniquely or predominantly on the hands. This presentation is distinctive, and prompt diagnosis may prevent unnecessary medical or surgical therapy and may lead to the earlier diagnosis and treatment of an associated malignancy or other systemic disorder.

Hand infections in patients with diabetes mellitus

Fifty diabetic patients with hand infections were studied retrospectively. The cause of infection varied, and the infections were divided into two groups: superficial infections and abscesses. The amputation rate was 14%. Only patients who presented with an abscess required amputation, and of those patients with abscesses, 17.5% required amputation. Eighteen of 38 cultured infections were polymicrobial, 4 contained Enterococcus, 11 contained gram-negative bacteria, and 3 contained anaerobic organisms. Bacteriologic culture analysis initiated a two-drug protocol: ampicillin with sulbactam (Unasyn; Pfizer, New York, NY) or piperacillin with tazobactam (Zosyn; Lederle, Pearl River, NY) and gentamicin (renal adjusted).

Pyoderma gangrenosum of the hand: a case series and review of the literature

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rapidly developing cutaneous ulcer that is rare in the hand and may mimic a fulminating infection. The correct treatment is nonsurgical; surgery may actually incite a pathergic response worsening the condition. Misdiagnosis results in inappropriate treatment, unnecessary surgery, and even amputations. The records of 7 patients with pyoderma gangrenosum of the hand treated at 2 large academic medical centers between 1992 and 1999 were reviewed. There were 4 men and 3 women with an average age of 58 years (range, 32-81 years). Five patients had bilateral involvement. Minor trauma preceded the appearance of the lesions. An associated systemic disease was found in all patients with ulcerative colitis being the most common (3 patients). All patients initially had a misdiagnosis of infection. Thirteen misdiagnoses (range, 1-3/patient) resulted in 16 unnecessary surgeries (mean, 2.2/patient) including 4 amputations and 2 failed skin grafts. No surgical procedure resulted in clinical improvement. All cultures were negative. Several physicians (mean, 5; range, 3-7) examined each patient before the final diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum, which was made by, or in conjunction with, a dermatologist in all cases. The average time to clinical improvement after correct medical treatment was initiated was 5 days.

Pyoderma gangrenosum severely affecting both hands

We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum affecting both hands simultaneously. Pyoderma gangrenosum affecting the hands is an extremely rare condition which may result in considerable tissue destruction. Management includes immunosuppressant therapy, treatment of associated medical conditions and minimal surgical intervention. Despite a high maintenance dose of corticosteroid and adequate control of coexisting ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, tissue destruction in the hands spread rapidly in our patient. The key to the patient's dramatic improvement was the tissue biopsy suggesting pyoderma gangrenosum and the subsequent treatment with the cytotoxic immunosuppressant, azathioprine.

Bilateral pyoderma gangrenosum of the hand: treatment with dapsone

The first reported case of bilateral pyoderma gangrenosum of the hands is presented. One lesion was treated with wound care only, with spontaneous healing after two months. The contralateral lesion which occurred one month later was treated with wound care and oral dapsone. Healing occurred between four and six weeks after the start of dapsone. It is suggested that this acts by limiting the necrotizing process, thus allowing earlier epithelialization. Pyoderma gangrenosum is rare, and treatment is non-surgical. It is important that it is recognized to avoid extension of the necrotizing process through ill-advised surgery.