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. 2019 Dec 12;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-2092. [Version 1] doi: 10.12688/f1000research.19909.1

Table 3. Comparison of the different diagnostic criteria suggested for pyoderma gangrenosum 31, 34, 35.

Proposed diagnostic criteria
Su et al. 34 criteria The Delphi Consensus of
International Experts
PARACELSUS score
Major criteria
Other ulcerating conditions excluded (that is,
biopsy and other investigations)
Biopsy Exclude other differential diagnoses
Typical clinical presentation of classic
pyoderma gangrenosum a
Reddish-violaceous ulcer border
Progressive ulceration
(developed in <6 weeks)
Minor criteria b
Histopathology findings Histopathology findings Histopathology findings
Typical systemic diseases present Typical systemic diseases present Typical systemic diseases present
inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory
arthritis
Treatment responsive to systemic steroids Treatment responsive to
immunosuppressants
Improvement in symptoms by
immunosuppressants
History of pathergy and cribiform scarring Pathergy Pathergy
Cribiform scarring
Pain, undermined border, peripheral
erythema
Undermined border
Pain
Papule, pustule, or vesicle that
ulcerated
Irregular ulcer shape
Multiple ulcerations (at least one on
lower leg)

aProgressive (1 to 2 cm/day or increase by 50% in 1 month), painful, irregular and undermined border, violaceous color, preceded by papule, pustule, or bulla.

bFor the PARACELSUS score, minor criteria have a white background and additional criteria have a gray background.