Extracutaneous involvement of pyoderma gangrenosum

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Internal Medicine
• Pathology

Background:

• Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis (ND).
• Diagnosis is challenging due to lack of a gold standard and overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
• PG can manifest with skin lesions and extracutaneous involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on extracutaneous involvement of PG.
• To describe clinical manifestations of extracutaneous PG.
• To aid dermatologists in diagnosis, management, and prognosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of extracutaneous manifestations of PG.
• Analysis of clinical presentations and organ involvement.
• Synthesis of diagnostic and prognostic information.

Main Results:

• Extracutaneous involvement is common in PG, affecting internal organs.
• The lungs are the most frequently affected organ, followed by eyes and viscera.
• Sterile neutrophilic infiltrates are found in affected organs, supporting PG as a systemic disease.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing extracutaneous manifestations is crucial for diagnosing and managing PG.
• PG should be considered a systemic disease with potential for significant internal organ compromise.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the full spectrum of PG's systemic effects.