Malignant pyoderma is a rapidly progressive ulcerating process of unknown origin that predominantly affects the head and neck of young adults. Malignant pyoderma has been considered distinct from pyoderma gangrenosum because of the predominant head and neck location of the ulcers and because the ulcers lack undermining and surrounding erythema. A case of a 22-year-old woman with a severe ulcerative process predominantly affecting the head and neck is described. A review of the literature indicates that malignant pyoderma and pyoderma gangrenosum are almost certainly identical disorders.

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