Nonhealing Ulcer at a Surgical Site

Abstract

A man in his 80s was evaluated for a 4.5 cm necrotic ulcer with a violaceous border at a previous surgical site (Figure 1). The nonhealing ulcer despite treatment was concerning for squamous cell carcinoma (Marjolin ulcer). Punch biopsy from the ulcer border revealed epidermal hyperplasia with intraepidermal acantholysis, dermal hemorrhage, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation (Figure 2). Tissue cultures, Grocott methenamine silver, Gram, and acid-fast bacillus stains and immunohistochemistry for herpes simplex virus were unremarkable.