ACUTE PYODERMA-GANGRENOSUM DOES NOT REQUIRE SURGICAL THERAPY

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an uncommon ulcerative skin disorder that is o ften associated with underlying systemic diseases, the most common of which is inflammatory bowel disease. We report an illustrative case of a 36-year-old woman with pyoderma gangrenosum occurring at surgical s ites and at sites of trauma. She had associated Crohn disease. Multipl e surgical procedures were performed on this patient, without improvem ent. Pyoderma gangrenosum can mimic a necrotizing soft tissue infectio n. Early recognition of the characteristic lesion may prevent unnecess ary operations and facilitate effective control with appropriate medic al therapy.