Pyoderma gangrenosum

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**Pyoderma gangrenosum**
*Classification & external resources*
ICD-10	L88
ICD-9	686.01

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a disease that causes tissue to become necrotic, causing deep ulcers that usually occur on the legs. When they occur, they can lead to chronic wounds. Ulcers usually initially look like small bug bites or papules, and they progress to larger ulcers. Though the wounds rarely lead to death, they can cause pain and scarring.

The disease was identified in 1930. It affects approximately 1 person in 100,000 in the population. Though it can affect people of any age, it mostly affects people in their 40s and 50s.^[1]

[edit] Types

There are two main types of pyoderma gangrenosum:^[1]

the normal ulcerative form, which occurs in the legs
an 'atypical' form that is more superficial and occurs in the hands and other parts of the body

[edit] Causes

Though the etiology is not well understood, the disease is thought to be due to immune system dysfunction, and particularly improper functioning of neutrophils. At least half of all pyoderma gangrenosum patients also suffer from illnesses that affect their systemic function.^[1] For instance, around 2% of Crohn's disease sufferers have the condition.