Pyoderma gangrenosum--a review

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare noninfectious neutrophilic dermatosis. Clinically it starts with sterile pustules that rapidly progress and turn into painful ulcers of variable depth and size with undermined violaceous borders. The legs are most commonly affected but other parts of the skin and mucous membranes may also be involved. Course can be mild or malignant, chronic or relapsing with remarkable morbidity. In many cases PG is associated with an underlying disease, most commonly inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic or haematological disease and malignancy. Diagnosis of PG is based on history of an underlying disease, typical clinical presentation, histopathology, and exclusion of other diseases that would lead to a similar appearance. The peak of incidence occurs between the ages of 20 to 50 years with women being more often affected than men. Aetiology has not been clearly determined yet.

The treatment of PG is a challenge. Randomized, double-blinded prospective multicenter trials for PG are not available. The best documented treatments are systemic corticosteroids and ciclosporin A. Combinations of steroids with cytotoxic drugs are used in resistant cases. The combination of steroids with sulfa drugs or immunosuppressants has been used as steroid-sparing modalities. Anti-tumor necrosis alpha therapy in Crohn's disease showed a rapid response of PG. Skin transplants and the application of bioengineered skin is useful in selected cases as a complement to the immunosuppressive treatment. Topical therapy with modern wound dressings is useful to minimize pain and the risk of secondary infections. Despite recent advances in therapy, the prognosis of PG remains unpredictable.

Pathophysiology of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG): an updated review

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a challenging skin condition to identify and treat because of its multifactorial pathogenesis. It is a rare cutaneous manifestation diagnosed clinically by exclusion of infection, neoplasia, thrombophilia, and other inflammatory conditions. Pathogenetic and treatment studies are scarce. Abnormalities in the function of inflammatory cytokines, the immune system, and neutrophils combined with specific genetic mutations predispose patients to develop this complex disease process. Early recognition of patients at risk for pyoderma gangrenosum, the necessity to improve its early diagnosis, and the future outlook of targeted and personalized therapies relies on the improved comprehension of the complex pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum.

Neutrophilic dermatoses: a review of current treatment options

Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and subcorneal pustular dermatosis are neutrophilic dermatoses - conditions that have an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of mature polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The neutrophils are usually located within the dermis in Sweet syndrome and pyoderma gangrenosum; however, in subcorneal pustular dermatosis, they are found in the upper layers of the epidermis. Sweet syndrome, also referred to as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is characterized by pyrexia, elevated neutrophil count, painful erythematous cutaneous lesions that have an infiltrate of mature neutrophils typically located in the upper dermis, and prompt clinical improvement following the initiation of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Classical, malignancy-associated, and drug-induced variants of Sweet syndrome exist. Pyoderma gangrenosum is characterized by painful, enlarging necrotic ulcers with bluish undermined borders surrounded by advancing zones of erythema; its clinical variants include: ulcerative or classic, pustular, bullous or atypical, vegetative, peristomal, and drug-induced. Subcorneal pustular dermatosis is an uncommon relapsing symmetric pustular eruption that involves flexural and intertriginous areas; it can be idiopathic or associated with cancer, infections, medications, and systemic diseases. Since Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and subcorneal pustular dermatosis share not only the same inflammatory cell but also similar associated systemic diseases, it is not surprising that the concurrent or sequential development of these neutrophilic dermatoses has been observed in the same individual. Also, it is not unexpected that several of the effective therapeutic interventions - including systemic drugs, topical agents, and other treatment modalities - for the management of these dermatoses are the same. The treatment of choice for Sweet syndrome and idiopathic pyoderma gangrenosum is systemic corticosteroids; however, for subcorneal pustular dermatosis, dapsone is the drug of choice. Yet, tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists are becoming the preferred choice when pyoderma gangrenosum is accompanied by inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Potassium iodide and colchicine are alternative first-line therapies for Sweet syndrome and indomethacin (indometacin), clofazimine, cyclosporine (ciclosporin), and dapsone are second-line treatments. Cyclosporine is effective in the acute management of pyoderma gangrenosum; however, when tapering the drug, additional systemic agents are necessary for maintaining the clinical response. In some patients with subcorneal pustular dermatosis, systemic corticosteroids may be effective; yet, systemic retinoids (such as etretinate and acitretin) have effectively been used for treating this neutrophilic dermatosis - either as monotherapy or in combination with dapsone or as a component of phototherapy with psoralen and UVA radiation. Topical agents can have an adjuvant role in the management of these neutrophilic dermatoses; however, high-potency topical corticosteroids may successfully treat localized manifestations of Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and subcorneal pustular dermatosis. Intralesional corticosteroid therapy for patients with Sweet syndrome and pyoderma gangrenosum, hyperbaric oxygen and plasmapheresis for patients with pyoderma grangrenosum, and phototherapy for patients with subcorneal pustular dermatosis are other modalities that have been used effectively for treating individuals with these neutrophilic dermatoses.

Significance of erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum in inflammatory bowel diseases: a cohort study of 2402 patients

Erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum are the most common cutaneous manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We conducted the current study to assess the cumulative prevalence of erythema nodosum and pyoderma gangrenosum in patients with IBD and to appraise their association with demographic, clinical, and prognostic factors related to IBD. Between 2000 and 2005, data for all patients with IBD at our gastroenterology department were prospectively and systematically collected using a standardized protocol. Among 2402 patients (1521 diagnosed with Crohn disease [63.3%] and 744 with ulcerative colitis [31.0%]), 140 (5.8%) had at least 1 skin manifestation. The most frequent dermatologic symptoms were erythema nodosum (4.0%) and pyoderma gangrenosum (0.75%). In multivariate analyses, erythema nodosum was significantly and independently associated with a diagnosis of Crohn disease (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), eye and joint involvement (p < 0.001), and pyoderma gangrenosum (p < 0.0001). Among patients with Crohn disease, erythema nodosum was associated with isolated colonic involvement (p = 0.0001). Pyoderma gangrenosum was significantly and independently associated with black African origin (p = 0.003), familial history of ulcerative colitis (p = 0.0005), uninterrupted pancolitis as the initial location of IBD (p = 0.03), permanent stoma (p = 0.002), eye involvement (p = 0.001), and erythema nodosum (p < 0.0001). It is noteworthy that the association between pyoderma gangrenosum and permanent stoma persisted after exclusion of patients with peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (p = 0.07). In conclusion, neither erythema nodosum nor pyoderma gangrenosum was significantly associated with the severity criteria in IBD; however, their occurrence may reflect a peculiar phenotype among affected patients.

PAPA, PASH and PAPASH Syndromes: Pathophysiology, Presentation and Treatment

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis usually manifesting as skin ulcers with undermined erythematous-violaceous borders. It may be isolated, associated with systemic conditions or occurring in the context of autoinflammatory syndromes such as PAPA (pyogenic arthritis, PG and acne), PASH (PG, acne and suppurative hidradenitis) or PAPASH (pyogenic arthritis, acne, PG and suppurative hidradenitis). From a physiopathological point of view, all these conditions share common mechanisms consisting of over-activation of the innate immune system leading to increased production of the interleukin (IL)-1 family and 'sterile' neutrophil-rich cutaneous inflammation. From a genetic point of view, a number of mutations affecting the proteins of the inflammasome complex (the molecular platform responsible for triggering autoinflammation) or the proteins that regulate inflammasome function have been described in these disorders. As these debilitating entities are all associated with the over-expression of IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, biological drugs specifically targeting these cytokines are currently the most effective treatments but, given the emerging role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of these syndromes, IL-17 antagonists may represent the future management of these conditions.

Topical Medical Cannabis: A New Treatment for Wound Pain-Three Cases of Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pain associated with integumentary wounds is highly prevalent, yet it remains an area of significant unmet need within health care. Currently, systemically administered opioids are the mainstay of treatment. However, recent publications are casting opioids in a negative light given their high side effect profile, inhibition of wound healing, and association with accidental overdose, incidents that are frequently fatal. Thus, novel analgesic strategies for wound-related pain need to be investigated. The ideal methods of pain relief for wound patients are modalities that are topical, lack systemic side effects, noninvasive, self-administered, and display rapid onset of analgesia. Extracts derived from the cannabis plant have been applied to wounds for thousands of years. The discovery of the human endocannabinoid system and its dominant presence throughout the integumentary system provides a valid and logical scientific platform to consider the use of topical cannabinoids for wounds. We are reporting a prospective case series of three patients with pyoderma gangrenosum that were treated with topical medical cannabis compounded in nongenetically modified organic sunflower oil. Clinically significant analgesia that was associated with reduced opioid utilization was noted in all three cases. Topical medical cannabis has the potential to improve pain management in patients suffering from wounds of all classes.

Treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum with infliximab in Crohn's disease

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an ulcerating noninfectious disease of the skin seen in 1 to 5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The pathogenesis of PG has yet to be determined but may be related to abnormal T cell responses and the production of TNF-alpha, a powerful proinflammatory cytokine. Infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody to TNF-alpha, has been approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease. We present four patients with PG treated with Infliximab for fistulizing Crohn's in whom complete healing of PG was achieved. Four patients with active fistulizing Crohn's disease and PG were treated. All patients were females ranging in age from 48 to 60 years, with a mean age of 54 years. Three of four patients had PG lesions located on the lower extremities; one patient had peristomal disease. All patients had at least colonic involvement of their Crohn's. The patients received either a single infusion or a series of three 5 mg/kg Infliximab infusions. All four patients demonstrated rapid healing of PG within 4 weeks of the first infusion of Infliximab. PG healing followed improvement in bowel disease. Complete resolution without recurrence was noted in all patients. Rapid resolution of PG was noted in four female patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease treated with Infliximab. Healing was complete, without recurrence. The anti-TNF-alpha properties of Infliximab suggest that healing may be mediated by the drug's effect on cytokine pathways, perhaps by blunted T cell activation early in the inflammatory cascade. We suggest an independent effect of Infliximab on PG.

Paraneoplastic Dermatoses: A Brief General Review and an Extensive Analysis of Paraneoplastic Pemphigus and Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis

Skin manifestations of systemic disease and malignancy are extremely polymorphous. Clinicians should be familiarized with paraneoplastic dermatoses in order to perform an early diagnosis of the underlying neoplasm. Lack of familiarity with cutaneous clues of internal malignancy may delay diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this review, we described several paraneoplastic dermatoses and discussed extensively two paradigmatic ones, namely paraneoplastic pemphigus and paraneoplastic dermatomyositis.

T helper type 1-related molecules as well as interleukin-15 are hyperexpressed in the skin lesions of patients with pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, immune-mediated skin disease classified into the group of neutrophilic dermatoses. Although a number of studies confirmed the central role of innate immunity, only few studies have investigated the possible contributing role of acquired immunity. In particular, no reports concerning T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells are available as yet. Therefore, 15 patients with PG, five with Sweet's syndrome (SS) and nine skin specimens from healthy controls (HC) were investigated, evaluating the expression of Th1-related markers interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), of the Th2-related molecules IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and CCR3, of the co-stimulatory axis CD40/CD40 ligand, of IL-15 and the natural killer (NK) cell marker CD56 in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. Patients with PG and SS showed a higher expression of Th1 markers than HC. Conversely, IL-5- and CCR3-expressing cells were less numerous in PG skin lesions compared to SS (P = 0·0157 and < 0·0001, respectively). Both CD40 and CD40L were expressed more in PG than in SS and HC (P < 0·0001 for both). Finally, the number of IL-15⁺ and CD56⁺ cells was higher in the skin of patients with PG than in those of SS and HC (P < 0·0001 for both). Our results suggest that Th2 cells are down-regulated in PG. At the same time, over-expression of the co-stimulatory axis CD40/CD40L amplifies the impairment of the Th1/Th2 balance. Both these findings might explain the most aggressive behaviour of PG in comparison to SS. Moreover, over-expression of IL-15⁺ and CD56⁺ cells may suggest a possible role of NK cells in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Cephalic pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)-like lesions as a presenting sign of Wegener's granulomatosis

BACKGROUND

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG)-like lesions can be associated with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG); in rare instances, they could be the presenting sign of WG. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between these two disorders.

METHODS

The clinical and histologic data from a case of WG with primary ulcerative lesions of the face were compared with five other cases previously reported in the literature.

RESULTS

A predominance among young men was noted. In three patients the histology of the skin ulcerations was suggestive of WG, in the remaining three, including the case described, it was nonspecific. Two cases developed pulmonary WG after the skin lesions cleared, showing that the extent and severity of skin lesions do not necessarily correlate with the systemic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

When the histology of the skin is nonspecific, the diagnosis of PG or PG-like lesions of the head and neck should not be considered definitive and the patients should be carefully monitored to rule out the possible presence of WG.

Topical treatment with 1% sodium cromoglycate in pyoderma gangrenosum

BACKGROUND

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon skin disease usually treated with systemic drugs, most frequently corticosteroids. Isolated topical treatment is usually considered unsatisfactory.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of topical 1% sodium cromoglycate solution on pyoderma gangrenosum in 5 patients 25-30 years of age.

METHODS

5 patients, including 2 under systemic steroid treatment, hospitalized in our department from 1992 to 1993 because of pyoderma gangrenosum, were treated with topical 1% sodium cromoglycate solution. Systemic corticosteroids were further added in 2 patients whose initial improvement was inadequate.

RESULTS

Initial improvement was noted in all 5 patients after 3-7 days of sodium cromoglycate treatment. Complete healing of the ulcers occurred within 5-8 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical treatment with sodium cromoglycate can be effective as adjunctive or sole treatment in pyoderma gangrenosum.

Successful Surgical Treatment of Takayasu’s Arteritis Associated With Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum is rarely associated with Takayasu's arteritis. We report the successful surgical treatment of a 34-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection due to Takayasu's arteritis. She underwent graft replacement of the thoracic aortic aneurysm under cardiopulmonary bypass, with perioperative management using prednisolone and cyclosporine A. She has had no evidence of the development of skin lesions or the progression of Takayasu's arteritis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum coexisting with acute myelogenous leukaemia

The frequency of occurrence of malignant neoplasms in the cases of pyoderma gangrenosum is not exactly determined, but it can be assessed to be at 7%. The aim of the study was to report a 26-year-old male patient with pyoderma gangrenosum coexisting with acute myelogenous leukaemia. The first skin lesions on both tibia occurred in June 2001. Prior to the proper diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum, the patient was treated surgically. Because of the dramatic dermatological and general condition in November 2001, the patient was admitted to the Dermatological Department of the Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice where the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was established. On the clinical and biochemical picture, the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum within acute myelogenous leukaemia was made. Initially, cyclosporin A 200 mg orally per day in the therapy of pyoderma gangrenosum was administered to achieve a slight clinical improvement. Although chemotherapy leukaemia was performed, the patient died after 4 months of the confirmation of the acute myelogenous leukaemia diagnosis.

Management of parastomal ulcers

Management of surgically placed ostomies is an important aspect of any general surgical or colon and rectal surgery practice. Complications with surgically placed ostomies are common and their causes are multifactorial. Parastomal ulceration, although rare, is a particularly difficult management problem. We conducted a literature search using MD Consult, Science Direct, OVID, Medline, and Cochrane Databases to review the causes and management options of parastomal ulceration. Both the etiology and treatments are varied. Different physicians and ostomy specialists have used a large array of methods to manage parastomal ulcers; these including local wound care; steroid creams; systemic steroids; and, when conservative measures fail, surgery. Most patients with parastomal ulcers who do not have associated IBD or peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) often respond quickly to local wound care and conservative management. Patients with PPG, IBD, or other systemic causes of their ulceration need both systemic and local care and are more likely to need long term treatment and possibly surgical revision of the ostomy. The treatment is complicated, but improved with the help of ostomy specialists.

Pattern and diagnostic evaluation of systemic autoinflammatory diseases other than familial Mediterranean fever among Arab children: a multicenter study from the Pediatric Rheumatology Arab Group (PRAG)

To define the spectrum and phenotypic characteristics of systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) other than familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in Arab children and to delineate diagnostic evaluation. Data retrospectively collected on patients with clinical and/or genetically proven SAIDs other than FMF at 10 tertiary Arab pediatric rheumatology clinics from 1990 to 2018. The collected data comprised the clinical findings and diagnostic evaluation including genetic testing, the provided treatment and the accrual damage related to SAIDs. A total of 144 patients (93 female) with a median age at onset of 2.5 (range 0.1-12) years were enrolled. The initial diagnosis was inaccurate in 49.3%. Consanguinity rate among parents was 74.6%. The median time-to-diagnosis for all SAIDs was 2.5 (range 0.1-10) years. There were 104 patients (72.2%) with a confirmed diagnosis and 40 patients with suspected SAIDs. Seventy-two had monogenic and 66 patients with multifactorial SAIDs while six patients had undifferentiated SAIDs. The most frequent monogenic SAIDs were LACC1 mediated monogenic disorders (n = 23) followed by CAPS (12), TRAPS (12), HIDS (12), and Majeed's syndrome (6). The most frequent multifactorial SAIDs was CRMO (34), followed by PFAPA (18), and early onset sarcoidosis (EOS) (14). Genetic analysis was performed in 69 patients; 50 patients had genetically confirmed disease. Corticosteroid used for 93 patients while biologic agents for 96 patients. Overall, growth failure was the most frequent accrual damage (36%), followed by cognitive impairment (13%). There were three deaths because of infection. This study shows a heterogenous spectrum of SAIDs with a high number of genetically confirmed monogenic diseases; notably, LACC1 associated diseases. Hopefully, this work will be the first step for a prospective registry for SAIDs in Arab countries.

When Is Recalcitrant Pyoderma Gangrenosum Truly Recalcitrant?

BACKGROUND

The literature supports many different therapies used in recalcitrant pyoderma gangrenosum, which suggests that the pathophysiology is not yet understood. Our hypothesis is that certain patient demographic factors, including age or size of ulcer at presentation, may predict a poor clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of our study was to stimulate an analysis of pyoderma gangrenosum treatment failures to identify predisposing conditions that would increase the likelihood of failure.

CONCLUSION

Patients older than 50 years of age or with an ulcer greater than 25 cm in diameter may have a poor outcome, but a systematic review of pyoderma gangrenosum treatment failures should be undertaken to support this hypothesis.