Pyoderma gangrenosum following isotretinoin therapy for acne nodulocystic

Int J Dermatol. 2008 Sep;47(9):953-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03662.x.

Abstract

A 19-year-old man with nodulocystic acne on baseline was treated with isotretinoin therapy. After 1 month on the medication, he developed pyoderma gangrenosum on his pubis area, arms and legs, and pathergy on a puncture site. Possible underlying diseases were excluded. The patient was started on steroids (prednisone 1 mg/kg/d) and isotretinoin therapy was withdrawn. Later the prednisone was tapered and dapsone 100 mg/daily was initiated. After 10 months of follow-up all lesions had healed and no underlying diseases developed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / drug therapy*
  • Acne Vulgaris / pathology
  • Dapsone / therapeutic use
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Isotretinoin / adverse effects*
  • Isotretinoin / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / chemically induced*
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / physiopathology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dapsone
  • Isotretinoin
  • Prednisone