Crohn's disease of the penis masquerading as pyoderma gangrenosum: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Both pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and cutaneous (metastatic) Crohn's disease (CCD) may occur in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Clinical distinction between PG and CCD may be difficult because clinical and pathologic features often are similar. Although surgical debridement is therapeutic in CCD, it may lead to increased tissue loss and disease progression (pathergy) in PG. Thus, it is important to determine a definitive diagnosis before surgical debridement, especially in tissue-sensitive sites. We present a patient with chronic ulceration of the penis who ultimately was diagnosed with CCD following an initial misdiagnosis of PG.