Annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a patient with ulcerative colitis

Ann Dermatol. 2011 Dec;23(Suppl 3):S338-40. doi: 10.5021/ad.2011.23.S3.S338. Epub 2011 Dec 27.

Abstract

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) is characterized by neutrophilic invasion and fibrinoid necrosis along with endothelial enlargement in postcapillary venules. Annular appearance of LV (ALV) is rare, but it can be accompanied by several systemic diseases. One of these systemic diseases is ulcerative colitis (UC), a subgroup of inflammatory bowel disease. Only one case was previously reported in which ALV was associated with UC, and herein we present one more case. A 66-year-old woman presented with painful polycyclic erythema on both palms, which had been present for 4 days. She had suffered from UC for 5 years. The patient had no fever or other systemic symptoms, and histological examination demonstrated typical LV. 200 mg of oral dapsone was taken daily to rapidly reduce her symptoms and signs, and after 1 week all lesions resolved completely without any adverse events. ALV is not a distinct condition and it can appear in a broad range of small vessel vasculitides. Although ALV in patients with UC is a very rare combination, clinicians need to be aware of this possible association.

Keywords: Annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis; Leukocytoclastic vasculitis; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports