Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn disease:: effect of TNF-α blockade with infliximab

Eight patients with pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn disease were treated with infliximab. All had active mucosal inflammation indicated by endoscopic examination. Within 1-4 months, infliximab treatment resulted in complete healing of the pyoderma gangrenosum in 3 cases (1 parastomal, 2 lower limb), partial healing in 3 (2 parastomal, 1 lower limb) and temporary improvement in 2. Adverse effects such as skin rash, pneumonia and diarrhoea were seen in three patients. Our results imply that infliximab has a therapeutic potential on skin manifestations associated with inflammatory bowel disease, even though successful treatment may require repeat courses of infliximab infusions.