Cutaneous manifestations and gastrointestinal disorders: Report of two emblematic cases

Clin Ter. 2015;166(4):e269-72. doi: 10.7417/T.2015.1872.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), can manifest themselves with intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Among the latter, cutaneous manifestations, such as pyoderma gangraenosum (PG) and metastatic Crohn's disease (MCD), represent a possible onset of IBD, with or without simultaneous bowel alterations. In such cases, intestinal and skin lesions are supported by the same immune-mediated mechanism. We hereby report two cases of patients with skin manifestations together with signs and symptoms suggestive of IBD. IBD and some skin lesions arise from the same immune-mediated mechanism. A multidisciplinary approach to these immune-mediated diseases is needed for an early and correct diagnosis, which in turn may lead to the use of the right drug avoiding useless treatment.

Keywords: Cutaneous manifestations; Immune-mediated mechanism; Inflammatory bowel disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / etiology
  • Skin Diseases / etiology*