Shavit E, Alavi A, Sibbald RG, et al.
Advances in skin & wound care. Date of publication 2017 Dec 1;volume 30(12):534-542.
1. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2017 Dec;30(12):534-542. doi:
10.1097/01.ASW.0000526605.34372.9e.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum: A Critical Appraisal.
Shavit E(1), Alavi A, Sibbald RG.
Author information:
(1)Eran Shavit, MD • Dermatologist, Clinical Fellow • Division of Dermatology,
Department of Medicine • Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto •
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Afsaneh Alavi, MD, MSc, FRCPC • Assistant Professor •
Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine • Women's College Hospital,
University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario, Canada R. Gary Sibbald, MD, DSc (Hons),
MEd, BSc, FRCPC (Med)(Derm), FAAD, MAPWCA • Professor • Medicine and Public
Health • University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario, Canada • Director •
International Interprofessional Wound Care Course & Masters of Science in
Community Health (Prevention & Wound Care) • Dalla Lana Faculty of Public Health
• University of Toronto • Past President • World Union of Wound Healing Societies
• Clinical Editor • Advances in Skin & Wound Care • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
GENERAL PURPOSE: To provide information about pyoderma gangrenosum (PG),
including pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatment.
TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians,
physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin
and wound care.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity,
the participant should be better able to: ABSTRACT: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is
an uncommon cutaneous disease, presenting with recurrent painful ulcerations most
commonly on the lower extremities. The diagnosis is made according to a typical
presentation, skin lesion morphology, skin biopsy, histopathology, and the
exclusion of other etiologies. Classically, PG presents with painful ulcers with
well-defined violaceous borders; other variants including bullous, pustular, and
vegetative/granulomatous can also occur. Treatment of PG involves a combination
of topical and systemic anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications,
wound care, antimicrobial agents for secondary infections, and treatment of the
underlying etiology. This article is a continuing education review of the
literature with a focus on the clinical application of the pathophysiology,
diagnosis, and treatment of this challenging disease.
DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000526605.34372.9e
PMID: 29140836 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
