Nonhealing Ulcerative Hand Wound

The Diagnosis: Neutrophilic Dermatosis of the Dorsal Hands 

Microscopic specimen analysis demonstrated epidermal ulceration, a diffuse dermal neutrophilic infiltrate, and papillary edema (Figure) consistent with neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands (NDDH). Special stains and cultures were negative for bacterial and fungal organisms. The patient was treated with high-dose oral prednisone 80 mg daily for 1 week (tapered over the course of 7 weeks) and dapsone gel 5% twice daily with rapid wound resolution. An extensive review of systems, age-appropriate malignancy screening, and laboratory evaluation did not demonstrate underlying systemic illness, infection, or malignancy. 

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands commonly arises alongside traumatic injury and presents as a nonhealing hand wound.¹ It is considered a localized variant of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet syndrome), a systemic inflammatory condition characterized by fever, malaise, neutrophilia, and elevated inflammatory markers.^1,2 Cutaneous lesions are variable and may include pustular nodules; tender, purulent, violaceous plaques with ulceration and crusting; or hemorrhagic bullae resembling coagulopathy or an infectious etiology.^1,3 Leukocytoclastic vasculitis may present with bullous or ulcerative lesions and also histologically resembles NDDH.⁴ Although ulceration typically is not common in Sweet syndrome, the ulcerated lesions with elevated, edematous, and violaceous borders in our patient were characteristic of NDDH. 

Neutrophilic dermatosis of the dorsal hands, similar to Sweet syndrome, may arise along with malignancy, infection (eg, respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatitis C virus), systemic illnesses (eg, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud phenomenon), or environmental exposure (eg, fertilizer) or with the use of certain medications (eg, thalidomide, minocycline).^1-3,5 Both solid tumors (eg, breast and lung carcinomas) as well as hematologic disturbances (eg, leukemia, myelodysplasia, lymphoma) have been associated with NDDH.^1-3 Although NDDH appears to be idiopathic, all patients should undergo an extensive review of systems, laboratory evaluation, and age-appropriate malignancy screening.  

Given the rarity of NDDH, necrotic lesion appearance, and potential for secondary infection, patients often are misdiagnosed with infectious etiologies, including necrotizing fasciitis.^1,3,6,7 Lesions of blastomycosislike pyoderma also may be pustular or ulcerative with elevated borders resembling NDDH.⁸ The pathogenesis of this rare condition remains uncertain. Although systemic antibiotics are a commonly utilized treatment modality, their efficacy may be primarily related to their anti-inflammatory properties.⁸  

Mycobacterium marinum is an aquatic nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes ulcerated, nodular, or pustular cutaneous granulomas that may resemble the lesions of NDDH.⁹ Similar to NDDH, lesions develop in areas of minor skin trauma, often on the upper extremities. At-risk individuals include those in frequent contact with aquatic environments, lending to the term fish tank granuloma. Diagnosis is made through culture, tissue biopsy, or the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Antibiotics such as doxycycline, surgical debridement, or cryotherapy are effective treatments.⁹  

Unlike infectious etiologies of similarly appearing lesions, primary lesions of NDDH are aseptic. Treatment with antibiotics is ineffective, and surgical intervention can result in devastating expansion of existing wounds as well as development of new lesions at surgical margins due to the pathergy effect and Koebner phenomenon.^3,6 The initiation of systemic corticosteroids and/or dapsone results in prompt resolution of NDDH.¹ In recalcitrant cases or when steroids are contraindicated, other medications may be used including dapsone, colchicine, potassium iodide, indomethacin, or biologics.² 

Atypical pyoderma gangrenosum is a bullous variant of pyoderma gangrenosum that is clinically and histologically indistinguishable from NDDH.^2,10 Atypical pyoderma gangrenosum frequently presents on the upper extremities, exhibits a pathergy response to trauma, is associated with similar systemic diseases, and is treated identically to NDDH. There is some degree of uncertainty about the classification and pathophysiology of atypical pyoderma gangrenosum, NDDH, and Sweet syndrome. The compelling similarities may indicate that these cutaneous disorders represent a spectrum of the same disease.^2,10 

Consideration of NDDH in the differential of nonhealing hand wounds is paramount to prevent progression and iatrogenic morbidity associated with delayed and missed diagnosis. Early recognition of NDDH may allow for earlier diagnosis of frequently associated systemic illnesses and malignancies.