Pentazocine-induced leg ulcers and fibrous papules.

We herein describe a case of 55-year-old farmer, who presented with chronic non-healing ulcers over both shins of 4 years duration. Intravenous drug abuse was suspected due to inability to find any venous access and all peripheral veins being found thickened and fibrosed. There were multiple atrophic scars in linear distribution in all limbs as well as in both groins. In addition there were multiple discrete fibrous papules in linear distribution on both hands, which were more obvious on the left side. The patient denied abusing intravenous drugs. However, his relatives confirmed that he abused pentazocine for almost one year before his chronic pain in abdomen was treated by appendicectomy. With subsequent counseling, it was found that he continued to abuse pentazocine at times even after surgery leading to the non-healing of ulcers.

Hydroxyurea Induced Perimalleolar Ulcers

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic drug commonly used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Common dermatological side effects include hyperpigmentation, scaling, erythema, alopecia, desquamation of face and hands. Leg ulceration following HU therapy is less common and very few cases have been reported so far. Objective of this paper is to increase the awareness of hydroxyurea induced leg ulcers which will aid in the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The first case was a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient on HU 1.5 g/day for 5 yr, who had bilateral painful perimalleolar ulcers for 6 months. The second case was a CML patient on HU 1.5 g/day for 3 yr who developed bilateral lateral malleolar ulcers. Third case was a polycythemia vera (PV) patient on HU 1 g/day for 5 yr who presented with painful medial malleolar ulcer of 2 months. The last case of our report was an elderly PV patient on HU 1.5 g/day for 2 yr and presented with lateral malleolar ulcer which persisted on reducing the dose of HU. In all the 4 cases the ulcers healed on stopping HU. Our report confirms the association of chronic hydroxyurea therapy and perimalleolar ulcers which respond promptly after discontinuation of the drug. The heightened awareness among the physicians will promote early diagnosis and prompt relief from the agonizing ulcers.

Reversible leg ulcer due to hydroxyurea in a case of chronic myeloid leukemia.

The cutaneous side effects of hydroxyurea are lesser known complication of long term hydroxyurea therapy in myeloproliferative disorders. We report a non-diabetic patient, who developed hydroxyurea dermopathy (leg ulcers) during long-term treatment with hydroxyurea for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The time course of the development of ulcers and its healing suggests that these resulted from the direct toxicity of hydroxyurea. We aim to increase clinical awareness of this problem.

Hydroxyurea induced leg ulcers.

A 34 years non diabetic lady with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) was treated with hydroxyurea and interferon. She developed leg ulcers. First time on left toe and three months later on right foot, a rare complication of hydroxyurea. Both were treated with local wound care and antibiotics. First time dose of hydroxyurea was reduced and second time drug was discontinued.