Marjolin’s Ulcer in a Spina Bifida Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

‘They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious’ Jeremiah 6:14.

Pressure ulcers are a frequent complication among neurologically-impaired patients, including those with spina bifida. Malignant degeneration of these pressure ulcers, known as Marjolin’s ulcers, although a rare complication, results in a virulent cancer and often death. The history of a twenty year-old spina bifida patient who presented with a longstanding sacral pressure ulcer that was found to be malignant is reported. Pressure ulcers should be thoroughly investigated at presentation, to avoid labeling malignancies ‘chronic ulcers’, leading to delay in appropriate treatment.