Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare skin condition characterized by chronic, painful ulcerations. It is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, often resulting in diagnostic delay. Histological results in PG, even when biopsied despite a risk of pathergy, are nonspecific. OBJECTIVES: To examine retrospectively the utility of biopsies in the diagnosis of 58 patients treated for PG. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to compare biopsy results versus the efficacy of diagnostic rating systems (Delphi, Su, PARACELSUS). RESULTS: Among 58 patients, 26 (45%) underwent biopsies, with only 10 (38%) contributing to a PG diagnosis. As a single-centre and retrospective study, documentation style and sample size limit generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Given risk of pathergy, nonspecific histopathological findings and low sensitivity, in our opinion, based on this small sample size, biopsies have limited diagnostic value for PG.