Two cases of pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans

Similar but different: distinguishing between pemphigus vegetans and pyostomatitis-pyodermatitis vegetans

A 51-year-old woman presented with a 4-month history of painful ulcers in the mouth and vulva, and painful vegetative plaques at intertriginous sites. Skin biopsies showed squamous hyperplasia and intraepidermal eosinophilic pustulation. Skin direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed intercellular deposition of IgG and C3 in the lower part of the epidermis, while serum indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) confirmed the presence of antiepithelial antibodies. The patient was diagnosed with pemphigus vegetans, and successfully treated with dapsone, prednisolone and topical steroids. Although pemphigus vegetans and pyostomatitis-pyodermatitis vegetans can show identical clinical and histological features, the presence or absence of comorbid inflammatory bowel disease, and the results of both skin DIF and serum IIF can be used to distinguish between these two conditions. This case report explores the challenges in making this distinction, and the implications of establishing the correct diagnosis.

Pyoderma Vegetans Misdiagnosed as Verrucous Carcinoma

Pyoderma vegetans, a rare disorder of the skin, is considered a highly specific marker for inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis. It is clinically characterized by large verrucous plaques with elevated borders and multiple pustules. Here, the authors report the case of a 33-year-old man who was misdiagnosed as having verrucous carcinoma for 4 years.

[The modern concepts of pyoderma gangrenosum]

The review provides an update on pyoderma ganrenosum, a rare chronic disease from a group of neutrophilic dermatoses. It considers its pathogenesis, its association with background visceral disease, and the specific features of skin and visceral involvement. Major and minor diagnostic criteria and differential treatment approaches are given.

Pyostomatitis vegetans and its relation to inflammatory bowel disease, pyoderma gangrenosum, pyodermatitis vegetans, and pemphigus

Pyostomatitis vegetans (PSV) is an intraoral pustular eruption considered by most authors to represent the mucous analogous of cutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum and its vegetating presentations (pyodermatitis vegetans). A strong correlation of PSV with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is well documented. The histopathology of PSV lesions usually reveals acanthosis, and neutrophils and/or eosinophils infiltration with intraepithelial or subepithelial abscesses; acantholysis is present in some cases. We studied four patients with IBD that presented oral lesions suggestive of PSV. Two male and two female patients were included. The histopathology of oral lesions of two patients revealed findings typical for PSV. The other two patients showed findings typical for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), although the course of their symptoms paralleled that of the bowel disease. Our findings may suggest that pustular lesions in patients with IBD can be a presentation of both PSV and PV; adequate diagnosis is required because clinical presentation is very similar.

Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans: case report and review of medical literature

Pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans is a rare inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology, with a typical mucocutaneous involvement. We report the case of a woman with pustular and vesicular lesions in the axillae, evolving with vegetating plaques and pustules with annular grouping. The disease progressed with vulvar and inguinal involvement as well as involvement of the oral, nasal and ocular mucous membranes. She started the treatment with prednisone (40 mg/day), with remission of the lesions after one month of use of such medication. Association with inflammatory bowel disease occurs in 70% of the cases. Immunofluorescence, which is typically negative, helps to characterize the disease. A rapid response to systemic steroids is expected.