PHAGEDENIC ULCER (PYODERMA GANGRAENOSUM)

Abstract

For the past decade we have used the term phagedenic ulcer to designate a peculiar type of chronic ulceration of the skin which tends to spread peripherally and is characterized by the presence of certain micro-organisms. So far, we have had the opportunity of treating 54 patients with this disease; these in the main presented the type of ulceration aforementioned, with involvement of the subcutaneous tissue. The ulcer is irregularly outlined, often crescent shaped. The process may spread in the region of the subcutis and thus undermine the edges of the ulcer and form deep sinuses, over which the overlapping portions of the skin assume a bluish red tinge and surround the ulcer in halo fashion. The surface is uneven and covered with brownish red, smeary matter, exuding a thin, meat-colored fluid. The destructive process spreads rather slowly, as a rule for several months, and usually causes little pain.