Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is caused by immune system dysfunction, and particularly improper functioning of neutrophils. At least half of all PG patients also suffer from autoimmunological diseases, one of which is Wegener granulomatosis (WG). The purpose of this article was to compare cases of patients with WG and PG in terms of their clinical course, histopathology, and applied treatment. In both, histopathological features are not fully distinct. Data from microbiological and immunological evaluation and clinical presentation are required to establish the diagnosis. We also present the case of a patient with WG and deep facial skin lesions not responding to standard treatment.
Methods: Systematic review of the literature in PubMed using the search terms "Wegener granulomatosis AND Pyoderma gangrenosum" and case report.
Results: The finding of 22 reports in the literature (PubMed) suggests that it is a rare phenomenon. This study revealed a similar rate of comorbidity of WG and PG in both genders and an increased incidence of both diseases after the age of 50. Among skin lesions there was a dominance of ulceration, most often deep and painful, covering a large area with the presence of advanced necrosis and destruction of the surrounding tissue. The most common location proved to be the cervical-cephalic area. The most popular treatment included steroids with cyclophosphamide.
Discussion: The rarity of the coexistence of these two diseases results in a lack of effective therapy. In such cases sulfone derivatives are still effective and provide an alternative to standard immunosuppression methods. Hyperbaric therapy and plasmapheresis can also play an important complementary role.