Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis
Encyclopedia
Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (also known as "Cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis," "Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis," "Cutaneous necrotizing venulitis," and "Hypersensitivity angiitis") is inflammation
of small blood vessels (usually post-capillary venules in the dermis
), characterized by palpable purpura
. It is the most common vasculitis
seen in clinical practice. Leukocytoclasis refers to the damage caused by nuclear debris from infiltrating neutrophils in and around the vessels. Subtypes of small-vessel vasculitis include:
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of small blood vessels (usually post-capillary venules in the dermis
Dermis
The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues, and is composed of two layers, the papillary and reticular dermis...
), characterized by palpable purpura
Purpura
Purpura is the appearance of red or purple discolorations on the skin that do not blanch on applying pressure. They are caused by bleeding underneath the skin...
. It is the most common vasculitis
Vasculitis
Vasculitis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by inflammatory destruction of blood vessels. Both arteries and veins are affected. Lymphangitis is sometimes considered a type of vasculitis...
seen in clinical practice. Leukocytoclasis refers to the damage caused by nuclear debris from infiltrating neutrophils in and around the vessels. Subtypes of small-vessel vasculitis include:
- Henoch-Schönlein purpuraHenoch-Schönlein purpuraHenoch–Schönlein purpura is a disease of the skin and other organs that most commonly affects children. In the skin, the disease causes palpable purpura ; often with joint and abdominal pain...
- Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancyAcute hemorrhagic edema of infancyAcute hemorrhagic edema of infancy is a skin condition that affects children under the age of two with a recent history of upper respiratory illness, a course of...
- Urticarial vasculitisUrticarial vasculitisUrticarial vasculitis is a skin condition characterized by fixed urticarial lesions that appear histologically as a vasculitis.- Introduction :A rare autoimmune disease characterised by recurrent...
- Cryoglobulinemic vasculitisCryoglobulinemic vasculitisCryoglobulinemic vasculitis is a skin condition presenting in roughly 15% of people with a circulating cryoprecipitable protein....
- Erythema elevatum diutinumErythema elevatum diutinumErythema elevatum diutinum is a form of vasculitis.It has been described as a paraneoplastic syndrome.- References :...
- Granuloma facialeGranuloma facialeGranuloma faciale is an uncommon benign chronic skin disease of unknown origin characterized by single or multiple cutaneous nodules, usually occurring over the face...