Alavi A, French LE, Davis MD, Brassard A, Kirsner RS, et al.
American journal of clinical dermatology. Date of publication 2017 Jun 1;volume 18(3):355-372.
1. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2017 Jun;18(3):355-372. doi: 10.1007/s40257-017-0251-7.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum: An Update on Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Alavi A(1), French LE(2), Davis MD(3), Brassard A(4), Kirsner RS(5).
Author information:
(1)Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital,
University of Toronto, 76 Grenville St, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2, Canada.
afsaneh.alavi@utoronto.ca.
(2)Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
(3)Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, MN, Rochester, USA.
(4)Department of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
(5)Department of Dermatology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine,
Miami, FL, USA.
Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare inflammatory neutrophilic disorder with
prototypical clinical presentations. Its pathophysiology is complex and not fully
explained. Recent information regarding the genetic basis of PG and the role of
auto-inflammation provides a better understanding of the disease and new
therapeutic targets. PG equally affects patients of both sexes and of any age.
Uncontrolled cutaneous neutrophilic inflammation is the cornerstone in a
genetically predisposed individual. Multimodality management is often required to
reduce inflammation, optimize wound healing, and treat underlying disease. A gold
standard for the management of PG does not exist and high-level evidence is
limited. Multiple factors must be taken into account when deciding on the optimum
treatment for individual patients: location, number and size of
lesion/ulceration(s), extracutaneous involvement, presence of associated disease,
cost, and side effects of treatment, as well as patient comorbidities and
preferences. Refractory and rapidly progressive cases require early initiation of
systemic therapy. Newer targeted therapies represent a promising pathway for the
management of PG, and the main focus of this review is the management and
evidence supporting the role of new targeted therapies in PG.
DOI: 10.1007/s40257-017-0251-7
PMID: 28224502 [Indexed for MEDLINE]