Author(s) Saracino A, Kelly R, Liew D, Chong A, et al.

Journal The Australasian journal of dermatology. Date of publication 2011 Aug 1;volume 52(3):218-21.

Abstract 1. Australas J Dermatol. 2011 Aug;52(3):218-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00750.x. Epub 2011 Jul 20. Pyoderma gangrenosum requiring inpatient management: a report of 26 cases with follow up. Saracino A(1), Kelly R, Liew D, Chong A. Author information: (1)Departments of Medicine and Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. adnama22@yahoo.com We present a case series of inpatients with pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), an ulcerative neutrophilic skin condition of unknown aetiology. Twenty-six patients were admitted with PG, nine men and 17 women. At the time of the chart review, seven patients (26.9%) had died. Patients had a mean of 2.0 active ulcerative lesions and 22 patients' ulcers (84.6%) were on the lower limb. Systemic diseases were coexistent in 15 patients (57.7%), the most common being rheumatoid arthritis (19.2%). Thirty-eight wound cultures were taken and were positive for Staphylococcus aureus in 22 cases (57.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 20 (52.6%). After prednisolone, cyclosporin was the next most commonly prescribed systemic therapy (34.6%). Surgical debridement was undertaken in seven cases (26.9%) and two patients had skin grafts. Upon discharge from hospital, 21 patients' ulcers (80.8%) had improved. At 6 months 50% showed complete ulcer healing. Our results highlight the potential severity of PG requiring hospital admission, the need for aggressive therapy and the overall high associated morbidity and mortality. © 2011 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2011 The Australasian College of Dermatologists. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-0960.2011.00750.x PMID: 21834821 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Source ID (e.g. PMID): 21834821