Penile pyoderma gangrenosum: Successful treatment with thalidomide

Dermatol Ther. 2019 Jul;32(4):e12952. doi: 10.1111/dth.12952. Epub 2019 May 22.

Abstract

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerating inflammatory neutrophilic dermatosis. Different clinical manifestations have been described, including ulcerative, pustular and bullous, and vegetative variants. Classic PG usually occurs on the lower extremities (~70% of cases) but can also involve the hands, head, neck, and scrotum. Genital involvement of PG has rarely been reported. Treatment of the genital PG is usually difficult and resistance to conventional therapeutic regimens was frequently observed. The present authors reported a 16-year-old male patient who presented with progressive genital ulceration for 3 weeks. He was treated successfully low dose thalidomide (50 mg/d) and minocycline.

Keywords: penile; pyoderma gangrenosum; thalidomide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Minocycline / administration & dosage*
  • Penile Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Penile Diseases / pathology
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy*
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / pathology
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • Minocycline