Chapter 25 - Cutaneous Vasculitis Flashcards
When referring to “small vessel vasculitis”, what type of vessels could be involved?
Arterioles, capillaries, and post-capillary venules which are found in the superficial and mid-dermis of the skin
Increased neutrophil and lymphocyte endothelial cell adhesion results from an increase in which two selectin molecules on the endothelial cells.
E-selectin and P-selectin
Increased neutrophil and lymphocyte endothelial cell adhesion results from an increase in which three members of the immunoglobin superfamily on the endothelial cells?
ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and PECAM-1
What does “ANCA” stand for?
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)
List the molecules found within the cytoplasm of neutrophils that are potential targets for ANCA antibodies.
Proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)
Why do lesions of palpable purpura in small vessel vasculitides occur predominantly on dependent sites, as well as under tight-fitting clothing?
Because hydrostatic pressure and stasis are involved in the pathophysiology of small vessel vasculitis. The slow flow of blood in these areas allows for deposition of the immunoglobulins and complement
If you suspect a cutaneous vasculitis, should you biopsy a new or old lesion for H&E? What about for DIF?
New lesions should be biopsied for both H&E and DIF
In small vessel vasculitis, what will the DIF show?
C3, IgG, IgM and/or IgA in a granular pattern within the vessel wall
True or false: when a patient has constitutional (fevers, weight loss, arthralgias) or musculoskeletal symptoms, your diagnosis of small vessel vasculitis of the skin should likely be reassessed.
False; patients with small vessel vasculitis of the skin often present with constitutional symptoms and musculoskeletal symptoms
True or false: when a patient has gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or neurologic symptoms, your diagnosis of small vessel vasculitis of the skin should likely be reassessed.
True; these symptoms should raise the possibility of a systemic vasculitis
What percentage of patients with small vessel cutaneous vasculitis will have resolution of cutaneous lesions within several weeks?
90%; 10% will have chronic or recurrent disease
True or false: small vessel cutaneous vasculitis can occur in the context of an autoimmune connective tissue disease or neoplasm.
True; if so, this will affect the patient’s prognosis
List four small vessel cutaneous vasculitides.
HSP, acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy, urticarial vasculitis, and erythema elevatum diutinum
List two large vessel vasculitides.
Temporal arteritis and Takayasu’s arteritis
List the two classic medium-vessel vasculitides.
Classic (systemic) PAN and cutaneous PAN
List the three ANCA-associated small-medium vessel vasculitides.
Microscopic polyangiitis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and Churg-Strauss
True or false: cryoglobulinemia can cause a small-medium vessel vasculitide.
True
List four causes of secondary small-medium sized vasculitides.
Infections, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, drugs, and neoplasms
Approximately what percentage of cutaneous small vessel vasculitides are idiopathic? What percentage are secondary to another cause (e.g. infection, autoimmune disorder, etc.)?
About 50% idiopathic; 50% secondary to another cause
What is the tetrad of clinical findings of HSP?
Palpable purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain, and hematuria
What size of vessel is involved in HSP? What type of immunoglobin is involved?
Small vessels become coated in IgA
What is the most common form of vasculitis in children?
HSP
Does HSP follow a seasonal pattern? If so, when is it most common?
Yes; peak incidence during winter
What type of infection typically precedes HSP?
Upper respiratory tract infection
Over what general time frame do skin lesions associated with HSP regress?
Weeks to months
True or false: children or young adults with a history of HSP have an increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
True
Although the treatment of HSP is usually supportive (because the skin lesions resolve in weeks to months), what drug has been shown to decrease the duration of skin lesions?
Systemic steroids and dapsone; systemic steroids also help with the arthritis and abdominal pain
What’s the rare form of cutaneous vasculitis that was once thought to be a benign form of HSP?
Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy; it’s now known to be it’s own entity
What’s the most common eponymn associated with acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy?
Finkelstein’s disease
How old are children that are typically affected by Finkelstein’s disease?
Children with acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (Finkelstein’s disease) are usually between 4 - 24 months old (i.e. less than 2 years old)
True or false: patients with acute hemorrhagic disease of infancy (Finkelstein’s disease) typically present with fever and appear toxic.
False; patients may present with fever, but otherwise they appear well
True or false: proteinuria often accompanies Finkelstein’s disease (acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy).
False; there is no extracutaneous involvement
True or false: acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (Finkelstein’s disease) often occurs after a recent infection, drug exposure, or immunization.
True
What two types of urticarial vasculitis are classically described?
Hypocomplementic and normocomplementic
True or false: urticarial vasculitis is often associated with SLE.
True
Which type of urticarial vasculitis follows a more benign course? Hypocomplementic or normocomplementic?
Normocomplementic; it typically resolves within 3 years
Which patients with urticarial vasculitis, those with the hypo- or normocomplementic type, are more likely to have extra cutaneous involvement?
Those with the hypocomplementic form
Urticarial vasculitis associated with a monoclonal IgM gammopathy and two of a list of systemic findings is known as:
Schnitzler’s syndrome
True or false: histologically, urticarial vasculitis will show LCV.
True
Name the small vessel vasculitis that presents with symmetric red-violet to red-brown papules and plaques on the extensor surfaces. The skin lesions tend to be persistent.
Erythema elevatum diutinum
How long does it typically take for erythema elevatum diutinum to resolve?
The disease has a chronic course: between 5-10 years, although many cases lasting over 40 years have been described
What is the classic unique histologic feature of erythema elevatum diutinum that is seen in late-stage lesions?
Extracellular cholesterol
What drug has been reported to induce a dramatic improvement in erythema elevatum diutinum (although there’s often a relapse when the medication is discontinued)?
Dapsone
What are the three types of cryoglobulins?
Type I: monoclonal IgM or IgG
Type II: monoclonal IgM against polycloncal IgG
Type III: Polyclonal IgM against IgG
What type of vasculitis is seen with type I cryoglobulinemia?
None; vasculitis is only seen with types II and III
What three organ systems are most commonly affected by cryoglobulins?
Skin, kidneys, and peripheral nervous system