title: Sclerokeratitis and facial skin lesions: a case report of pyoderma gangrenosum and its response to dapsone therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This documents the evaluation and management of a patient with an unusual destructive external ocular disorder in the context of progressively disfiguring dermatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational case report including ophthalmologic examination with conjunctival and corneal scraping, radiologic studies of the sinuses and chest, skin, conjunctival, and scleral biopsies, and serologic studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biopsies, cultures, and serologic testing led to the conclusion that the patient had pyoderma gangrenosum. Therapy with dapsone resulted in preservation of vision and resolution of the oculocutaneous inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare autoimmune disorder that can affect the eye. Biopsy of affected tissue is the key to diagnosis. Immunomodulating therapy can be a useful adjunct to the traditional steroid therapy.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Teasley
authors.forename: C Stephen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baltatzis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001706:Biopsy; D003622:Dapsone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D017511:Pyoderma Gangrenosum / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D015423:Scleritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003622:Dapsone