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.
Zonana-Nacach
A
A
Departamento de Reumatología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México.
Jiménez-Balderas
F J
FJ
Martínez-Osuna
P
P
Mintz
G
G
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