[Pseudomonas sepsis with ecthyma gangrenosum in an acute myeloid leukemia patient]

A 56-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia had two rapidly growing necrotizing nodules with ulcer formation on her head after the first course of consolidation therapy. Clinical features corresponding to sepsis (e.g., fever) appeared following the development of the skin lesion. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the blood as well as pus of the lesion. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of ecthyma gangrenosum was made. Treatment with ciprofloxacin and gamma-globulin dramatically improved the patient's clinical features. Since Pseudomonas sepsis with ecthyma gangrenosum is associated with a high mortality rate, it is important to start immediate treatment with appropriate antibiotics.