Successful treatment of pyoderma gangrenosum with topical 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a twenty-nine-year-old woman with associated long-standing Crohn's disease was treated with topical 5-aminosalicylic acid cream. Significant improvement in the ulceration occurred despite progressive deterioration of the inflammatory bowel disease. The possible mode of action is reviewed. The efficacy, together with the lack of side effects, warrants further study into the therapeutic role of topical 5-aminosalicylic acid.