Skin Manifestations of Vasculitis

Abstract

Skin symptoms that might indicate vasculitis include palpable purpura, blisters, skin ulcers, livedo, and subcutaneous nodules. Palpable purpura, livedo, and subcutaneous nodules are particularly important; the first correlates with small vessel vasculitis, and the latter two with medium vessel vasculitis on histopathology. If the presence of deep lesions, as seen in cases of livedo and subcutaneous nodules are suspected, the skin biopsy must include fat tissue from the active skin lesions to arrive at the accurate histological diagnosis. Differential diagnoses should be considered based on the size of the most heavily impacted vessels, to determine the type of vasculitis. The diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis requires cooperation between the Nephrology, Neurology, Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Dermatology, and Pathology Departments.