Factitious Ulcer Misdiagnosed as Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

Dermatitis artefacta may represent a real challenge for the clinician. As the patient does not admit self-inflicting the lesions, misdiagnosis with other diseases, such as pyoderma gangrenosum, is common. Consequently, these patients normally go through unnecessary tests and receive potentially harmful treatments as clinicians determine their diagnosis. The authors present the case of a recurrent factitious abdominal ulcer that was initially diagnosed and treated as pyoderma gangrenosum. This report focuses on the necessity of suspecting dermatitis artefacta when morphology, history, and treatment failures are difficult to explain. It is essential to establish a supportive and confident approach and avoid initial confrontation. In-patient treatment may be useful and long-term followup may prevent recurrences.