Conde Montero E, Sánchez-Albisua B, Guisado S, Ángeles Martín-Díaz M, Balbín-Carrero E, Valdivelso-Ramos M, de la Cueva Dobao P, et al.
Wounds : a compendium of clinical research and practice. Date of publication 2016 Feb 1;volume 28(2):63-7.
1. Wounds. 2016 Feb;28(2):63-7.
Factitious Ulcer Misdiagnosed as Pyoderma Gangrenosum.
Conde Montero E(1), Sánchez-Albisua B(1), Guisado S(2), Ángeles Martín-Díaz M(1),
Balbín-Carrero E(1), Valdivelso-Ramos M(1), de la Cueva Dobao P(1).
Author information:
(1)Hospital Infanta Leonor, Madrid, Spain.
(2)Centro de Especialidades Vicente Soldevilla, Hospital Virgen de la Torre,
Madrid, Spain.
Dermatitis artefacta may represent a real challenge for the clinician. As the
patient does not admit self-inflicting the lesions, misdiagnosis with other
diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, is common. Consequently, these patients
normally go through unnecessary tests and receive potentially harmful treatments
as clinicians determine their diagnosis. The authors present the case of a
recurrent factitious abdominal ulcer that was initially diagnosed and treated as
pyoderma gangrenosum. This report focuses on the necessity of suspecting
dermatitis artefacta when morphology, history, and treatment failures are
difficult to explain. It is essential to establish a supportive and confident
approach and avoid initial confrontation. In-patient treatment may be useful and
long-term followup may prevent recurrences.
PMID: 26891139 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
