Pyoderma gangrenosum and myeloproliferative disorders. Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

The exact mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) still remains unclear, yet there is an increasing number of reports associating PG with immunologic abnormalities. A correlation between PG and myeloproliferative disorders was also described. A patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia is described in whom PG developed during the course of illness. An immunologic analysis of this case, speculation on the pathogenesis of PG and a review of the literature are presented. The futility of current therapeutic modalities in the treatment of PG is reported.