dermatologic disorders
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Diagnosis of Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Clinical evaluation Diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum is clinical and is a diagnosis of exclusion after other causes of ulceration have been ruled out. Expansion of ulceration after surgical debridement strongly suggests pyoderma gangrenosum. Biopsies of lesions are not often diagnostic but may be supportive; 40% of biopsies from a leading edge show vasculitis with neutrophils and fibrin in superficial vessels. Patients who have bullous (atypical) pyoderma gangrenosum should be monitored with periodic clinical assessment and complete blood count for development of a hematologic disorder. 