Pyoderma gangrenosum with increased levels of serum cytokines

A 66‐year‐old woman presented after an episode of accidental trauma with a painful ulcer on her scalp which rapidly enlarged in size, accompanied by central necrosis and undermining ulceration. The patient's past history was negative for underlying systemic disease, although she had had a similar post‐traumatic intractable leg ulcer 3 years prior, which was unresponsive to surgical management but successfully treated with systemic steroids. A biopsied specimen from the scalp showed marked neutrophilic infiltrates in the dermis, compatible with a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). The large ulcerative lesion responded very well to oral steroid therapy, showing rapid epithelialization. Serum levels of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐6 were significantly elevated prior to treatment, with decrease to normal levels after treatment. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor levels were within normal limits. The significance and pathogenic role of cytokine burst in PG is reviewed and discussed.     

Cuidados y tratamiento del pioderma gangrenoso periestomal. A propósito de tres casos

Peristomal gangrenous pyoderma is an inflammatory skin disease with progression to painful ulcer, rare, and rarely associated with colorectal carcinoma.Its diagnosis is differential since it can be confused with skin infection, abscess, contact dermatitis, peristomal irritation or peristomal skin extension of an inflammatory bowel disease.We present three cases of patients operated for colorectal carcinoma with an intestinal stoma, who developed peristomal gangrenous pyoderma.A plan of local care and dressings was developed using the NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomies.Stoma care and fitting of collecting devices were performed with saline solution, paste, ostomy powders and a two-piece bag.For the basic local treatment, physiological serum or washing solution was used for wound cleaning, aqueous eosin (2%), alginate in the exudative phase, and collagenase ointment in the presence of slough/necrosis.Specific local treatment (clobetasol propionate, tacrolimus, or triamcinolone acetonide infiltration) and systemic treatment (corticosteroid therapy) was given sequentially after the diagnosis of peristomal gangrenous pyoderma depending on the clinical response to each treatment.Case 1 resolved at six months with a good response to local triamcinolone infiltration. Case 2 resolved at 10 months after local infiltration with triamcinolone and oral prednisolone. Case 3 had no response to local treatments or systemic corticosteroid therapy, healing after tumour and metastatic excision with relocation of the stoma at nine months.     

Bromoderma mimicking pyoderma gangrenosum caused by commercial sedatives

Bromoderma is a rare skin disorder caused by bromide intake. It presents as single or multiple papillomatous nodules or plaques, and ulcers studded with small pustules on the face or limbs. The clinical features of bromoderma are similar to those of pyoderma gangrenosum. A 41‐year‐old Japanese woman was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum 11 years prior to presentation. Pyoderma had repeatedly appeared over her entire body despite treatment. She also frequently complained of syncopal episodes. She was admitted to our hospital after loss of consciousness and an episode of generalized convulsion. Laboratory tests revealed a negative serum anion gap and hyperchloremia. Her serum bromide level was significantly elevated, suggesting bromide intoxication. The patient had a 10‐year history of high serum bromide levels. After the intake of bromide‐containing sedatives was stopped, there was no recurrence of pyoderma in the absence of treatment. In conclusion, this case was diagnosed as bromoderma with commercial sedative‐induced bromide intoxication. Although the US Food and Drug Administration have banned the use of bromides, over‐the‐counter (OTC) treatments containing bromides are still used in Japan and other countries. Long‐term use of OTC medicines containing bromvalerylurea may result in the development of bromoderma. If unclarified neurological or psychiatric symptoms are associated with pyoderma, we propose measurement of the patient's serum chloride concentration. Determination of hyperchloremia is helpful for the diagnosis of chronic intoxication with bromides.     

阿达木单抗治疗坏疽性脓皮病一例并文献复习

报道阿达木单抗成功治疗一例坏疽性脓皮病,并进行文献复习。患者,男,53岁。左股内侧红斑、丘疹6个月,溃疡3个月。组织病理示：符合坏疽性脓皮病。给予雷公藤多苷片、沙利度胺片治疗3天,仍有新发红斑、丘疹,于第3天、第10天分别给予皮下注射阿达木单抗80 mg、40 mg,后每2周皮下注射阿达木单抗40 mg,注射第4剂阿达木单抗时溃疡已愈合。半年后随访,皮损未复发。     

1例溃疡性结肠炎合并坏疽性脓皮病的个案报道

坏疽性脓皮病(PG)是一种复杂的嗜中性粒细胞皮肤病,通常与全身性炎症性疾病相关,最常见的是炎症性肠病(IBD)。由于对发病机制的不完全了解,缺乏标准化治疗方案,因此治疗具有挑战性。近期临床研究在此类疾病的发病机制方面已经有了新的进展,并且认为其是自发性炎症过程。这篇个案报道旨在提供1例典型病例,探讨PG的临床特点及治疗。     

Efficacy and safety of etanercept for postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum after infliximab serum sickness

Non‐peristomal postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is a rare subtype of pyoderma gangrenosum that occurs in the early postoperative period at surgical incisions, most commonly after breast surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent severe scaring. TNF‐alpha inhibitor infliximab was reported to be efficient in treatment of PPG refractory to systemic corticosteroids. However infliximab can be not well tolerated. We report the first case of etanercept efficacy in post‐plastic breast surgery pyoderma gangrenosum after infliximab serum sickness.     

Pyoderma gangrenosum and tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors: A semi‐systematic review

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative skin disease that presents a therapeutic challenge. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors have been reported to successfully control PG. Our aim was to systematically evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of TNFα inhibitors in adults with PG. A literature search including databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted, using search terms related to PG and TNFα inhibitors. Studies and case reports were included if patients were diagnosed with PG, over the age of 18 and administered TNFα inhibitor. A total of 3212 unique citations were identified resulting in 222 articles describing 356 patients being included in our study. The study we report found an 87% (95% CI: 83%‐90%) response rate and a 67% (95% CI: 62%‐72%) complete response rate to TNFα inhibitors. No statistically significant differences in the response rates (P = 0.6159) or complete response rates (P = 0.0773) to infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept were found. In our study TNFα inhibitors demonstrated significant effectiveness with response and complete response rates supporting the use of TNFα inhibitors to treat PG in adults. Our study suggests that there is no significant difference in effectiveness among infliximab, adalimumab, and etanercept.     

Whether to maintain or strengthen the treatment for pyoderma gangrenosum ulcerative type may depend on the response after two to four‐week treatment intervention: The outcome of three cases with details clinical course

Determining whether the treatment intensity needs to be increased or can be maintained at a constant level may be suggested after 2–4 weeks of treatment. The use of TNF‐α inhibitor, removal of necrotic tissue, and skin grafting may promote epithelialization.