Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an aseptic inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis associated with painful ulcers and violaceous borders. Although a portion of cases are thought to be idiopathic, PG can be associated with many inflammatory diseases, most notably inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Anatomically, PG in most young children is likely to develop on the head and neck or genital area, as opposed to the lower extremities in older children and adults. Lesions tend to demonstrate pathergy, where trivial inciting stimuli, such as trauma, are met with an abnormal response. In the treatment of PG, care should be taken to identify any underlying disease. Many topical and systemic agents have been trialled in an attempt to treat PG.