Pyoderma chronica vegetans treated with mesh skin grafting

Pyoderma chronica vegetans is a rare condition clinically characterized by large verrucous plaques with elevated borders and multiple pustules. Although the etiology is unknown, it is generally believed that vegetating reaction is due to an immune system dysfunction or immunosuppressive state. We report on a 72-year-old man with pyoderma chronica of the buttocks. The lesion on the left buttock worsened two years before with gradual onset of fistulas, scarring and verrucous plaques. Laboratory test revealed medium high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, anemia, shift to left in differential white blood cell count, and polyclonal hyperglobulinemia. Streptococcus species and Escherichia coli were detected in tissue samples. T-cell functional tests for mitogens were decreased. Flow cytometry analysis of phagocytic capability of monocytes and granulocytes by was normal. Inflammatory bowel diseases were excluded with clinical and radiological examination. Anti-HIV test was negative. Histology revealed hyperplasia and irregular acanthosis of the epidermis, sinus and abscess formation, fibrosis and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells such as plasma cells, lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils. Surgery was chosen as a therapeutic option as conservative treatment proved ineffective. Therefore, complete excision of the lesion was performed and skin grafting was required to close the defect because of extensity of the lesions. The skin-graft donor site was normal skin. Good postoperative result was achieved, without recurrence of the pyodermatic process.