Pyoderma Gangrenosum Arising De Novo Over an Unusual Site: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Summary@#Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) of the breast is a rare rapidly progressive neutrophilic dermatosis, which usually co-exists with severe underlying systemic conditions. A woman presented with a non-healing ulcer over her right breast with characteristic sparing of nipple-areola complex (Bork-Baykal phenomenon). It was diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum on the basis of clinico-pathological correlation and managed successfully with systemic corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs along with wound care. The diagnosis and treatment of PG is challenging particularly at unusual sites given the paucity of robust clinical evidence and lack of consensus opinion regarding specific management guidelines. It is imperative that PG is considered as a clinical diagnosis in any patient with enlarging, sterile, necrotic lesions unresponsive to appropriate antibiotics. Early recognition of PG at rare locations can prevent devastating sequelae such as over-zealous surgical debridement and deep tissue infections associated with a chronic open wound leading to severe cosmetic morbidity.