Cavitating pulmonary infiltrate in an adolescent with pyoderma gangrenosum: A rarely recognized extracutaneous manifestation of a neutrophilic dermatosis

Neutrophilic dermatoses such as pyoderma gangrenosum are characterized by s terile, neutrophilic cutaneous infiltrates. Extracutaneous neutrophilic inf iltrates can occur, primarily in the joints, lungs, heart, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, and eyes. Pulmonary disease is the most fre quently reported extracutaneous manifestation of pyoderma gangrenosum and i s characterized by patchy infiltrates or interstitial pneumonitis. We descr ibe an adolescent with typical pyoderma gangrenosum who presented with cavi tary pneumonia and responded completely to oral corticosteroids. In patient s with inflammatory ulcers, extracutaneous neutrophilic disease should be c onsidered, once an infectious process has been excluded.