Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) begins with a painful, erythematous skin lesion followed by pustule formation and rapid ulceration in which an erythematous border surrounds a sterile, necrotic center. In most patients, symptoms of ulcerative colitis precede PG, and exacerbations of the bowel disease frequently correlate with worsening of the skin lesions. As PG is not commonly encountered by clinicians, the diagnosis of such lesions is not always straightforward. This case emphasizes the importance of detailed history taking and the consideration of PG as a differential diagnosis of such lesions in patients with a background of related systemic disease. The prognosis of PG is generally good. But, early aggressive therapy can minimize severe complications, and maintenance treatment may prevent some devastating consequences. We report two cases of PG that developed on the entire body and on an anterior chest wall abscess with ulcerative colitis, which improved with corticosteroid and cyclosporine. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2010;41:312-318)

• Keywords: Pyoderma gangrenosum, Ulcerative colitis, Corticosteroid, Cyclosporine