Pyoderma Gangrenosum Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis Mimicking Vasculitis

This case report discusses a 75-year-old female with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), a rare condition characterized by painful necrotic ulcers, initially mimicking vasculitis. Despite presenting with ulcerative skin lesions and elevated acute phase reactants, vasculitis was ruled out through negative specific tests and imaging. A skin biopsy confirmed PG due to neutrophilic infiltration. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy led to significant improvement. The case underscores the need to consider PG in RA patients with ulcerative lesions that resemble vasculitis.