ALLERGIC HYPERSENSITIVITY VASCULITIS - CLINICAL CASE

Abstract

Hypersensitivity vasculitis, which is usually represented histopathologically as leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV), is a term commonly used to denote a small-vessel vasculitis. There are many potential causes of hypersensitivity vasculitis; however, up to 50% of cases are idiopathic. Hypersensitivity vasculitis may present clinically as cutaneous disease only or it may be a cutaneous manifestation of systemic disease. The internal organs most commonly affected in hypersensitivity vasculitis are the joints, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. Hypersensitivity vasculitis may be acute and self-limited or chronic. Patients with chronic disease may experience persistent lesions or intermittent recurrence. Vasculitis may be complicated by ulceration of skin or by end-organ dysfunction however, overall, hypersensitivity vasculitis has a favorable prognosis, particularly when no internal involvement is present. Hypersensitivity vasculitis may occur at any age, but adults are more commonly affected.