Takayasu disease presenting as malignant pyoderma gangrenosum in a child with relapsing polychondritis

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov;59(5 Suppl):S84-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.05.010.

Abstract

A 7-year-old Lebanese girl with recently diagnosed relapsing polychondritis had a 1-month history of several painful ulcerations involving her entire body. Skin biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. She was hospitalized and started on intravenous steroids with partial improvement. During her hospital stay, she developed right wrist drop. Radiologic studies revealed a large aortic aneurysm and an axillary aneurysm compressing the right brachial nerve plexus. Pathology of the resected aortic anyeurism confirmed the diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis. The patient was started on infliximab therapy with complete resolution of her skin lesions and improvement in hand function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / etiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / pathology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / complications*
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / diagnosis
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / drug therapy
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / diagnosis
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / drug therapy
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum / etiology*
  • Takayasu Arteritis / diagnosis
  • Takayasu Arteritis / drug therapy
  • Takayasu Arteritis / etiology*
  • Takayasu Arteritis / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Infliximab