The role of in-111 leukocyte scanning in pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin disorder in which one of the pathological hallmarks is infiltration with polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The disease has been described as accompanying ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease, neoplastic disorders such as leukemia, lymphoma immunological disorders including chronic active hepatitis and polyarthritis. In spite of these associations, there is no clear evidence to define the cause of the condition. Pathologic analysis of established ulcers has been unrewarding. Perhaps the main reason for lack of knowledge about the cause (or causes) is that it is impossible to predict which areas of skin will become involved before lesions are apparent. Therefore, biopsy studies are not available at the earliest phase of evolution of the lesion. The purpose of this study is to indicate that In-111 white cell scan does show uptake in definite lesions and might predict early sites of involvement before clinical abnormalities are apparent.