Genetic and environmental factors intervene into psoriasis outbreak, including numerous drugs [1]. As for, pyoderma gangrenosum, it can be idiopathic or associated with systemic diseases [2]. The association of these two pathologies is known and includes varies and complex mechanisms [3-5]. Psoriasis can be presented in pustular features, and associated with a pyoderma gangrenosum. Are the two pathologies the same entity, the neutrophilic dermatosis with different clinical manifestations? Here we report the first clinical case of pustular psoriasis of the face associated with perianal pyoderma gangrenosum observed in our department.

Mr. GG, 50 years of age, presented in 2003 a pustulosis in barber of the chin arising on erythematous skin which extended progressively to the front, to the head, to the nose, to the nasal and genus areas, in vespertilio aspect on the cheekbone and cheeks but the eyelids were normal (Figure 1). An antibiotic treatment was done without success and it developed itself into erythematous, yellow crusted and scaling lesions (Figure 2). The patient was then sent to our dermatology department for better management. Under topical corticosteroid and antimycosic treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, it showed small improvement. Later, the histopathological examination showed a parakeratotic hyperkeratosis with presence of abscess in the stratum corneum layer and an inflammatory infiltrated dermis; all these features were in favour to psoriasis. Psoriasis diagnosis was retained (figure 3); the patient was treated by methotrexate. Small improvement was observed without complete clearance of the face. 6 years later, it occurred superficial perianal ulceration, which was circular, extensive, purulent, well defined, invading the anal margin and painless (figure 4a). There was no inguinal lymphadenopathy. The patient did not present tuberculosis signs and digestive troubles. All these symptoms led us toward chronic herpes. Bacterial and parasital examinations did not find tuberculosis, donovanosis or an amibiasis. The other biological examinations showed sterile pus, 7 mm of Tuberlinic Cutaneous Reaction (CTR), no hyperleucocytosis, and a renal for hepatic biological examination were normals, and blood sugar level was normal and no inflammatory biological syndrome. HIV test was negative. Due to the impossibility to realize virological tests, the patient received valaciclovir to treat chronic herpes without success. The histological examination of this ulceration was less specific but showed a polynuclear infiltration into the dermis and the epidermis, which was for neutrophilic dermatosis. The high and low digestive endoscopy did not show anything in particular. All these signs allow us to conclude to the diagnosis of pustular psoriasis of the face associated with a perianal pyoderma gangrenosum. Under corticotherapy (prednisone) in the dosage 1 mg/kg/day for pyoderma gangrenosum treatment, we observed normal cicatrization of the perianal ulceration (figure 4a and 4b) and then a progressive clearance of the all face was observed with a cutaneous reepithelization (Figure 5).

Figure 1: Pustulosis in barber

Figure 2: Pustular psoriasis of the face: Erythematous, scaly, crusted lesions with yellowish crusts

Figure 3: Parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and hyperpapillomatose with presence of abcess in the stratum corneum

Figure 4: a) Perianal pyoderma gangrenosum, b) Cicatrization under corticosteroid therapy

Figure 5: Clean et and repigmentation of the face

Pustular psoriasis is characterized by the presence of clinically visible spongiform pustules as we saw in our patient [1]. Its location in the face wasn’t described previously. We retained this diagnosis based on clinical aspect (pustules and yellow crusts) and histopathology features that allow us to eliminate a pyoderma gangrenosum in the face. So,it seem the first case reported. As for pyoderma gangrenosum, genital and perineal localisations are already known [6-9]. In our case, it was idiopathic. Vulgaris psoriasis associated to pyoderma gangrenosum was already described [3,10,11]. Today, as recommended by JH Saurat, the pustular form of psoriasis with pyoderma gangrenosum get into the concept of neutrophilic dermatosis [12]. One case of vulgaris psoriasis as a pyoderma gangrenosum precursor was described in the literature, it shows that pustular psoriasis and pyodema gangrenosum could be the same entity with different clinical manifestations [4]. It especially as the course of both diseases is favorable under corticosteroid drugs. The mechanisms are numerous and could be auto-immune. This auto immune mechanism was already suggested by Yurci A, in a case of exacerbated psoriasis associated with pyoderma gangrenosum, which occur in patient suffering from hepatitis C under treatment by interferon pegyle and ribavirine [11].

Pustular psoriasis and pyoderma gangrenosum are the two clinical manifestetions of a same nosologic entity, the neutrophilic dermatosis. Their association is possible; it could be caused by the same mechanism, responding to the same treatment: the corticosteroid therapy.