Pyoderma gangrenosum with systemic and pulmonary involvement in a toddler

Pyoderma Gangrenosum: Diagnostic Criteria, Subtypes, Systemic Associations, and Workup

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis with variable clinical features. The classic presentation is an ulceration with an erythematous to violaceous undermined border. Extracutaneous manifestations may occur. Associated systemic diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory arthritides, and hematologic disorders. The pathophysiologic mechanism of disease is not completely known but likely related to the cumulative impact of inflammation, immune-mediated neutrophilic dysfunction, and genetic predisposition. Incidence is between 3 and 10 people per million but may be greater due to under recognition. In this article, we will discuss the diagnostic criteria, disease subtypes, systemic associations, and workup.

Pyoderma gangrenosum with pulmonary involvement: a pulmonary special report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is the prototypical neutrophilic dermatosis, commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease, with pulmonary involvement being the commonest extracutaneous manifestation. PG with tracheobronchial involvement may present as upper airway obstruction and can be life-threatening.

AREAS COVERED

To evaluate the clinical characteristics and predictors of PG with pulmonary involvement, we reported a case of PG with tracheobronchial involvement in China, and performed a literature retrieval on PG with pulmonary involvement. Demographic data, clinical presentations, underlying diseases, radiological and histopathological findings, treatments, and clinical outcomes were collected and subjected to statistical analysis. Forty-seven cases (including ours) were identified. Diseases associated with PG with pulmonary involvement were similar. Clinical presentation of PG with pulmonary involvement was non-specific, with cough and dyspnea being the most common clinical symptoms, and pulmonary infiltrates and cavitation being the most common radiological signs. Further univariate analysis suggested stridor and young age (p < 0.01) may be predictors of tracheobronchial involvement in PG.

EXPERT OPINION

PG with tracheobronchial involvement can be life-threatening, with young age and stridor being possible predictors. Therefore, prompt airway assessment and management are required in younger patients with PG with pulmonary involvement presenting with stridor.

Extracutaneous involvement of pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis (ND) associated with underlying chronic inflammation and/or malignancy. Diagnosis remains to be challenging as a gold standard diagnostic test is lacking. Initial manifestations may include papules, vesicles, or pustules that subsequently develop into ulceration with features of undermining and violaceous borders. Timely recognition of pyoderma gangrenosum is impeded by clinical findings shared with other etiologies, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis, polyarteritis nodosa, and antiphospholipid syndrome. As with any other ND, extracutaneous involvement may also occur preceding, during, or following the appearance of skin lesions. Sterile neutrophilic infiltrates have been found to affect internal organs supporting the concept of PG being a systemic disease, with lung being the most common extracutaneous manifestation followed by ocular and visceral compromise. Therefore, in this review, we describe the current knowledge of extracutaneous involvement of PG and its respective clinical manifestations to aid dermatologists in diagnosis, management, and determining prognosis.