Vacuum-assisted closure therapy in pyoderma gangrenosum

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC), although a modern adjunct in wound management, has not been used previously in pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), probably to avoid the potential complications of ‘pathergy’. We would like to report our experience of VAC in three cases of PG with the relevant review of literature.     

Gauze‐based negative pressure wound therapy: a valid method to manage pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon ulcerative, non‐infective chronic inflammatory skin disorder of unknown aetiology. Systemic therapies are necessary to control the associated medical diseases, and, due to the inflammatory nature of PG, topical or systemic immunosuppressant agents are effective, but wound healing is usually slow. Negative wound pressure therapy (NPWT) has become an important tool for the management of complex skin ulcers, and usage in PG has been recently described in the literature: we present four cases of classic PG in which NPWT in association with systemic therapy achieved wound healing and a drastic pain reduction.     

Pyoderma gangrenosum: A case report of bilateral dorsal hand lesions and literature review of management

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a great masquerader in wound diagnosis and management. Frequently misdiagnosed as a necrotizing infection, the elusive nature of its etiology and pathogenesis has thwarted the establishment of a standardized management algorithm, leaving immunosuppressant therapies as the mainstay of treatment. The present report describes a 61-year-old woman presenting with temporally discrete bilateral dorsal hand lesions successfully managed with distinctive multimodality therapies. The initial lesion was managed under the auspices of a necrotizing process using a combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and skin grafting with a negative-pressure dressing, both individually demonstrated to be effective for prompt wound stabilization and coverage. A subsequent contralateral hand lesion was similarly managed as a necrotizing infection before a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was considered. Stabilization and eventual resolution was achieved using intravenous and topical steroids followed by hyperbaric oxygen therapy, again highlighting the benefits of multimodality therapy in the setting of pyoderma gangrenosum.     

Cutaneous malakoplakia masquerading as pyoderma gangrenosum

Cutaneous malakoplakia is a rare infection‐related granulomatous disease frequently associated with immunocompromised states. Foamy macrophages containing basophilic granules, called the Michaelis–Gutman bodies, are pathognomonic. We report a case of cutaneous malakoplakia in a 77‐year‐old male with pyoderma gangrenosum and a 2‐year history of a non‐healing malleolar ulcer treated successfully with cotrimoxazole.     

The adverse consequences of pyoderma gangrenosum in a 13 year old child

Introduction

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon, but serious, non infectious, neutrophilic dermatosis that causes cutaneous necrosis with a characteristically rapid evolution.

Presentation of case

A 13 year-old girl was admitted with a postoperative infected wound, which was surgically debrided. A new more aggressive lesion on the left upper extremity led the patient to the intensive care unit. Clinical diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was introduced with a crucial delay. An immediate clinical improvement after immunosuppressive therapy with systemic corticosteroids and cyclosporine was observed. The extensive cutaneous deficits were covered with keratinocyte cultured cells with an aesthetically good outcome.

Discussion

Diagnosis of PG in young children is very difficult, especially without dermatological evaluation. This deforming ulcerative skin disease is probably a result of altered immunologic reactivity. Its early recognition may prevent unnecessary surgical treatment which leads to dangerous complications.

Conclusion

To our knowledge this is the first case of PG with such a widespread distribution reported in a child, as a consequence of iatrogenic pathergy.     

Treatment of diabetic foot complications with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: A retrospective experience

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational study of all patients with diabetic foot ulcers treated at the Institution's hyperbaric chamber between January 2010 and August 2012. Patient data was obtained upon patient hospital visit and prospective clinical record consultation.ResultsTwenty-six foot lesions including 13 foot ulcers Wagner grade 2 or greater and 13 amputation stump ulcers were submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy between January 2010 and August 2012 in our Institution. Of these, 23 foot lesions completed treatment and complete epithelialization of the primary lesion was achieved in 15 (65%). The mean healing period since the first hyperbaric oxygen therapy session was 16 weeks. Above-ankle amputations were performed in 3 limbs and transmetatarsal amputations in 2 limbs.ConclusionHyperbaric oxygen may be associated with ulcer healing in selected diabetic foot ulcers with impaired cicatrization.     

Dramatic resolution of disseminated pyoderma gangrenosum associated with monoclonal gammopathy after therapy with bortezomib and dexamethasone

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an uncommon inflammatory and ulcerative skin disorder, which is commonly associated with systemic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and haematological malignancies. It is widely stated that control of the underlying diseases may lead to resolution of PG. However, standard of care dictates that patients suffering with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or smouldering multiple myeloma (MM) should not receive therapy unless they progress to symptomatic MM. Here, we report a woman in her 40s with a disseminated corticodependent PG, resistant to any treatment attempted, including anti‐tumoral necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in which bortezomib–dexamethasone regimen results in dramatic healing of all lesions in only a month. This case supports the belief that treatment of the underlying monoclonal gammopathy could be necessary when PG presents as an aggressive, non‐responding skin disease.     

Successful treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum with granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a neutrophilic dermatosis clinically characterised by the presence of painful skin ulcerations with erythematous and undetermined borders and histologically by the presence of neutrophilic infiltrates in the dermis. Granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis, also called granulocytapheresis, is a therapeutic strategy for extracorporeal immunomodulation that selectively removes activated granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages from the peripheral blood. Here, we report a case of a 73‐year‐old patient affected by a severe form of pyoderma gangrenosum presenting with multiple painful ulcers and pustules on his trunk and extremities. The disease was resistant to high doses of methylprednisolone and methotrexate and successfully treated by granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the efficacy of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis in pyoderma gangrenosum in Europe.     

A retrospective study of diabetic foot ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

A retrospective review of patient medical records was conducted to assess what factors influence the outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Patients referred to the Diving Diseases Research Centre for HBO therapy for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers during a 2‐year period were included in this study. Data collected from 30 sets of patient records were entered into SPSS and statistical analysis was undertaken to investigate whether any underlying pathologies or confounding factors appeared to influence patient outcome. A 73·3% of patients achieved a successful outcome of partial healing, major amputation no longer required, amputation level lower than anticipated prior to HBO or healing at the end of HBO therapy and 70% remained successful 3 months later. A 13·3% of patients were lost to follow‐up at 3 months and one patient (3·3%) had a major amputation. Steroid therapy, peripheral vascular disease, previous minor amputation, type of diabetes, previous HBO therapy, larvae therapy, the use of interactive dressings and haemoglobin A1c levels were all observed to have had a significant relationship with patient outcome (P < 0·05). These results were compared with data from other published research conducted in this area on similar patient groups. A larger scale study focussing on the factors found to be significant in this study is recommended. An improvement of patient documentation would allow patient outcomes to be more consistently monitored in the future.     

Treatment of a radiation-induced rectal ulcer with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a man with prostate cancer

Late radiation proctopathy is a painful and vexing complication of prostate radiation. We report a case of a 55-year-old man with prostate cancer, and complaints of tenesmus and severe rectal pain after radiation therapy. The patient was diagnosed with a locally advanced Gleason score 8 prostate cancer and an increased prostate-specific antigen of 42.3 ng/ml. His past medical history was notable for a history of bilateral lymph node dissection complicated by Clostridium difficile colitis. He subsequently received 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. Seven months after completing therapy, minor rectal bleeding and significant pain developed, requiring increasing doses of opioid analgesics. Fourteen months after 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, sigmoidoscopy revealed a single chronic deep ulcer at the anorectal junction. As an alternative to diverting colostomy, the patient underwent a course of hyperbaric oxygen. Within 1 month of completing hyperbaric oxygen treatment, his symptoms completely resolved. Nine months from completion of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, he has had no recurrence of symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be considered a treatment option after failure of standard treatments in patients with severe radiation proctopathy.     

Total hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fracture with pyoderma gangrenosum patient: A case report

IntroductionPyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory aseptic, ulcerative neutrophilic dermatosis which manifest as skin recurrent, painful ulcers.Presentation of caseA 65-year-old man with pyoderma gangrenosum underwent left total hip arthroplasty because of femoral neck fractures. Glucocorticoid, antibiotic, anticoagulant drug, etc. were given in perioperative period. Complication of pyoderma gangrenosum was prevented successfully in perioperative period.DiscussionNo consensus has been reached about whether to use glucocorticoid, as well as the dosage and administration, in perioperative periods for pyoderma gangrenosum patients as prophylactic means of wound complication.ConclusionWe herein report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum patient underwent total hip arthroplasty, meanwhile raise the issue of management in perioperative period for pyoderma gangrenosum patient, especially explore series of standardized therapies for this disease during arthroplasty.     

A systematic review and meta-analysis of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers with arterial insufficiency

BackgroundDiabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are frequently associated with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and may ultimately lead to amputations of the lower extremity. Adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) might foster better wound healing and lower amputation rates in patients with DFU and PAOD. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of HBOT as an adjunctive therapy to standard treatment for patients with DFUs with PAOD.MethodsSystematic review using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases (from inception to October 2018). All original, comparative studies on the effect of HBOT on DFUs with PAOD were eligible. The primary outcome measures were amputation rate, amputation-free survival, complete ulcer healing, and mortality.ResultsEleven studies, totaling 729 patients, were included for analysis, including 7 randomized clinical trials, 2 controlled clinical trials, and 2 retrospective cohorts. Four were used for quantitative synthesis. Meta-analysis showed a significantly fewer major amputations in the HBOT group (10.7% vs 26.0%; risk difference, −15%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −25 to −6; P = .002; number needed to treat, 7; 95% CI, 4-20). No difference was found for minor amputations (risk difference, 8%; 95% CI, −13 to 30; P = .46). Three studies reporting on complete wound healing showed contrasting results. No significant difference was found for mortality or amputation-free survival.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that adjuvant HBOT improves major amputation rate, but not wound healing, in patients with DFUs and PAOD. Given the wide range of patients included in the trials, better patient selection may help define which patients with DFUs and PAOD benefit most from HBOT as standard adjunctive treatment.     

Diabetic foot ulcers treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a review of the literature

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) has been used as an adjunct for healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) for decades. However, its use remains controversial. A literature search was conducted to locate clinical studies and assess the available evidence. Ten prospective and seven retrospective studies evaluating HBO for DFUs were located. These were reviewed and the outcomes were discussed. One study reported no difference in outcomes between patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen and the control group. However, their regime differed from all other studies in that the patients received hyperbaric oxygen twice rather than once daily. Reduced amputation rates and improved healing were the most common outcomes observed.     

A novel topical therapy for resistant and early peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum

Peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is an under‐recognised and difficult condition to treat. We describe a case series using a novel topical combination therapy that promotes wound healing and allows for adhesion of the stoma appliance. A crushed oral prednisolone tablet mixed with Stomahesive Protective Powder (ConvaTec) was applied topically to seven patients with PPG and resulted in pain relief and wound healing in six of seven patients. Only one patient experienced recurrence. The novel topical therapy we describe is cost‐effective, readily available, and easily applied in any inpatient or outpatient setting.     

负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗糖尿病足的临床疗效

目的 探讨负压创面治疗联合高压氧治疗糖尿病足的临床疗效.方法 采用回顾性病例对照研究分析江苏大学附属人民医院整形烧伤科自2013年2月至2017年12月收治的46例糖尿病足患者的临床资料,根据治疗方法分为对照组(24例)和联合治疗组(22例).糖尿病足创面按Wagner分级为3～5级;共46足.对照组采用控制血糖、抗感...     

Staged correction of an equinovarus deformity due to pyoderma gangrenosum using a Taylor spatial frame and tibiotalar calcaneal fusion with an intramedullary device

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare autoinflammatory syndrome manifested by skin lesions eventually creating ulcers. Surgical management can lead to scarring and contracture at the site of the lesion due to the pathergy phenomenon. A 43-year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of severe equinovarus deformity due to chronic pyoderma gangrenosum on her posteromedial ankle. She underwent a staged fusion. A gradual “closed” correction was performed in a Taylor spatial frame for 8 weeks in order to obviate the need for a surgical release in the area of the ulcer. She was ambulatory and full weight-bearing within 4 weeks of her frame removal. She maintained her correction with an accommodative foot orthosis until she had an uneventful tibiotalar calcaneal fusion with an intramedullary device. This case represents the success of using a Taylor spatial frame for staged fusion involving soft-tissue correction of severe, rigid equinovarus deformity due to pyoderma gangrenosum.     

高压氧辅助治疗对儿童急性耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌性骨髓炎疗效的影响

目的:探讨高压氧辅助治疗儿童急性耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌性骨髓炎的疗效及对炎症指标水平的影响。方法:选择2016年1月至2019年12月郑州大学第一附属医院小儿外科收治的符合纳入标准的急性耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌性骨髓炎患儿56例,按治疗方法分为观察组和对照组,每组28例。对照组采用常规负压封闭引流术联合静脉抗生素治疗...     

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on caustic esophageal injury in rats

Background/purpose

Caustic esophageal burn is a serious problem in pediatric surgery. Even though many clinical and experimental studies had been performed, the complication rate could not be reduced to a satisfying level. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in caustic esophageal burn in rats.

Methods

Rats were divided into 4 groups, and caustic burn at the distal esophagus was created by applying 50% NaOH for 3 minutes in all groups. The first and third groups did not receive HBO therapy. HBO therapy was applied to the second group for 2 days and to the fourth group for 28 days. To evaluate the effects of short-term HBO therapy, the first 2 groups were compared for ulceration, inflammation, and submucosal vascular thrombosis after 2 days. The third and fourth groups were compared for the long-term effects of HBO therapy. Rats in these groups were killed after 28 days and compared for the collagen content, weight, and mortality rate.

Results

In the second group, which received 2 days of HBO therapy, ulcer depth and vascular thrombosis were significantly lower than these in the first group (P = .022 and P = .020, respectively). The fourth group, which received 4 weeks of HBO therapy, had a significantly reduced mortality rate, weight loss, and collagen score and hydroxyproline level if compared with the third group (P = .035; P = .016; P = .028; and P = .033, respectively).

Conclusions

These results indicate that HBO therapy is useful in caustic esophageal burn both in short-term and long-term use.     

A rationale for adjuvant surgical intervention in pyoderma gangrenosum

Medical specialists who care for patients with pyoderma gangrenosum have been reluctant traditionally to consult plastic surgeons. This is the result of previous negative experience with debridement and skin grafting. However, a new understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease process, and better therapeutic options for control have emerged. Very few studies report the results of surgical therapy of this disease, and fewer yet report successful outcome. The authors present their limited experience at the American University of Beirut with 4 patients who were controlled medically followed by skin grafting their large wounds, thus decreasing their morbidity and hospital stay. A review of the literature together with insights on the rationale and timing of surgery in this particular small group of patients are discussed.