Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses in the treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with rheumatoid arthritis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
Pyoderma gangrenosum is a chronic ulceronecrotic inflammatory cutaneous disorder that can be associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). No definitive treatment exists for this condition; steroids have been the mainstay of therapy, and the addition of immunosuppressives has been advocated. We describe 2 patients with pyoderma gangrenosum occurring in the setting of RA who, in addition to steroids, received pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide and had a remarkably good and lasting response. This is the first report of such a therapeutic approach. The pertinent literature is discussed. We conclude that pulse cyclophosphamide is another possible therapy for pyoderma gangrenosum.
Departamento de Reumatología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México.
A
A
Zonana-Nacach
F J
FJ
Jiménez-Balderas
P
P
Martínez-Osuna
G
G
Mintz
D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D003520:Cyclophosphamide