Metastatic Crohn's disease: A review and approach to therapy

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2014-10, Vol.71 (4), p.804-813
• Main Authors: Kurtzman, Drew J.B., MD, Jones, Trevor, BS, Lian, Fangru, MD, PhD, Peng, Lisan S., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - therapeutic use; Biopsy, Needle; Crohn Disease - complications; Crohn Disease - pathology; cutaneous Crohn's disease; cutaneous manifestations of Crohn's disease; Dermatologic Agents - therapeutic use; Dermatology; Erythema - drug therapy; Erythema - etiology; Erythema - pathology; Female; gastrointestinal disease; Granuloma - drug therapy; Granuloma - etiology; Granuloma - pathology; granulomatous inflammation; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; inflammatory bowel disease; Male; metastatic Crohn's disease; Prognosis; Rare Diseases; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Skin Diseases - drug therapy; Skin Diseases - etiology; Skin Diseases - pathology; Skin Ulcer - drug therapy; Skin Ulcer - etiology; Skin Ulcer - pathology
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.04.002

Metastatic Crohn's disease (CD) is a rare cutaneous manifestation of CD that was first described nearly 50 years ago. Many subsequent reports have defined its most common clinical and histopathologic features. The pathogenesis underlying metastatic CD is unknown but various hypotheses exist. An established standard therapy is lacking. Owing to its rarity and nonspecific clinical presentation along with the diversity of inflammatory skin disorders that often complicate CD, the diagnosis of metastatic CD may be overlooked. This report highlights the salient features of this disorder to facilitate recognition and management of this rare dermatosis.