Pyoderma Gangrenosum Associated With Seronegative Arthritis: A Rural Tertiary Care Experience

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerating inflammatory skin condition, the cause of which remains idiopathic. A 35-year-old female presented to our outpatient department (OPD) with initial findings of multiple non-healing ulcers that developed suddenly with a symmetric bilateral pattern on the dorsal aspect of hands, elbows, and inner knees. Lesions initially developed as a pustule that progressed to burst and leave behind a raw area that turned into an ulcer. Polyarthralgia preceded these symptoms. Extensive investigations were done for the varied differentials that were postulated; this led to finally declaring PG associated with seronegative arthritis as a diagnosis of exclusion. Initial treatment with antibiotics showed little results, and thus, the patient was started on a systemic corticosteroid which proved to be successful.