Postoperative Pyoderma Gangrenosum Following Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Abstract

<p>Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic, ulcerative dermatosis that can develop at sites of cutaneous trauma, including surgical incisions, a phenomenon known as pathergy. The characteristic lesion is a painful, rapidly expanding ulceration with a violaceous undermined border.¹ A biopsy taken from the expanding violaceous border shows predominantly neutrophilic dermal inflammation with neutrophilic abscess formation.</p> <p>The etiology of PG appears to be variable among patients, as about a half of the reported cases are associated with systemic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or myeloproliferative disorders, while the other half seem to be idiopathic.² PG is difficult to diagnose as other etiologies, including infectious, vasculitic, and other inflammatory dermatoses, must be excluded.¹ Histopathologic and biochemical markers of PG, such as dermal neutrophilic infiltrate or overexpression of interleukin-8,³ respectively, are not pathognomonic. Given that several drugs, such as hydralazine, mesalamine, and sunitinib, are reportedly associated with PG, failure to recognize this association and stop these medications may delay diagnosis and therapy. We report a case of idiopathic postoperative PG following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).</p> <p><em>J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(7):711-713.</em></p>.