"Pyoderma gangrenosum of the breast: A challenging diagnosis".

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) of the breast is a rare, ulcerative disease of rapid onset normally associated with systemic disorders and triggered by surgery or trauma. Pyoderma gangrenosum poses a diagnostic challenge. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to minimize morbidity and sequelae. We performed a retrospective review of all breast PG cases admitted to Cruces University Hospital over a 5-year (2015-2019) period. Medical history, clinical course, and management strategies were assessed. Three patients were analyzed. None of them had previous surgery. No definitive etiology was identified in one case, and the other two were probably biopsy-driven. Histological findings were reported as nonspecific. Similar skin lesions elsewhere on the body and resistance to wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy were observed. These features raised awareness on the diagnosis of PG. Ulcerations healed completely within 2 months following treatment with Cyclosporine A or corticosteroid therapy. A complicated late-diagnosis case that presented with advanced breast and forearm necrosis was managed with steroids followed by trans-forearm amputation and mastectomy. The breast is an unusual site for PG, but this differential diagnosis should be considered in the presence of breast ulceration. In patients with a strong clinical and histological PG suspicion, we suggest early management with systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy prior to any surgical debridement to minimize morbidity and poor esthetic outcomes.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN): Acute complications and long-term sequelae management in a multidisciplinary follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a devastating exfoliative disorder with life-changing complications. This study aimed to identify acute complications and long-term sequelae of TEN and to highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary management follow-up. METHODS: A 19-year (1998-2016) retrospective review of all patients with TEN admitted to Cruces University Hospital´s Burns Unit was performed. Demographic and admission data were collected. Survivors were contacted for a follow-up multidisciplinary assessment involving dermatological, ocular, ENT, urological, gynecological, and psychological examination. RESULTS: Within the total cohort of patients analyzed (22), 6 survivors agreed to be interviewed. The patients presented with both physical and psychological sequelae, including dermatological (100%), oropharyngeal (50%), and ophthalmologic sequelae (50%), with corneal damage and severe dry eye as the most frequent. The only male patient underwent phimosis surgery due to mucosal adhesions. Psychometric scales captured symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (33.33%), and quality of life was affected in 66.67% of the patients by skin sequelae. CONCLUSION: Quality of life can be severely impaired by multiple long-term complications. It is important to emphasize the need for multidisciplinary awareness during their acute stay at Burns Unit. Furthermore, long-term follow-up might prevent or limit the progression of the chronic sequelae.