Bullous pyoderma gangrenosum revealing acute myeloid leukaemia

Abstract

We describe a man in his 60s presenting poor scar development following surgical treatment for popliteal aneurysm. The clinical features in a postoperative context and the poor clinical response to intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics were highly suggestive of bullous pyoderma gangrenosum. Histology, with dense inflammatory infiltrate of neutrophils, subsequently confirmed the diagnosis and the response to systemic corticosteroids was rapid and complete. Further investigations revealed an underlying acute myeloid leukaemia, which is frequently associated with this type of neutrophilic dermatosis.

Keywords: Dermatology; Haematology (blood transfusion).