When an ulcer is not ‘just an ulcer’: pyoderma gangrenosum

A 94-year-old man presented with painful leg ulcers that were affecting his mobility. No clear history of these ulcers was obtained on admission or during his initial 7 days of admission and there was no examination made of the ulcer by medical staff during this time. On day 8, a clear history was obtained. It was established that this was a rapidly deteriorating and painful ulcer developing within a 2-week period in previously normal skin. On examination, he had an ulcer clinically consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum which had further enlarged since admission with evidence of newly developing lesions on the legs. He was started on oral and topical therapies and the ulcer improved symptomatically and aesthetically. He was discharged a few weeks later and the patient was followed up by the Dermatology department to ensure continued improvement and eventual resolution.