Update on vasculitis: an overview and dermatological clues for clinical and histopathological diagnosis - part I

Abstract The term vasculitis refers to the inflammation of vessel walls. It may range in severity from a self-limited disorder in one single organ to a life-threatening disease due to multiple organ failure. It has many causes, although they result in only a few histological patterns of vascular inflammation. Vessels of any type and in any organ can be affected, a fact that results in a broad variety of signs and symptoms. Different vasculitides with indistinguishable clinical presentations have quite different prognosis and treatments. This condition presents many challenges to physicians in terms of classification, diagnosis, appropriate laboratory workup, and treatment. Moreover, it compels a careful follow-up. This article reviews the Chapel-Hill 2012 classification, etiology, recent insights in pathophysiology, some important dermatological clues for the diagnosis and summarizes treatment of some of these complex vasculitis syndromes.

Intravascular histiocytosis: case report of a rare disease probably associated with silicone breast implant

Abstract Intravascular histiocytosis is a rare condition characterized by the aggregate of histiocytes within dilated dermal vessels. The diagnosis is mainly histophatological and immunohistochemical. We describe a case of a 55 year-old female patient presenting erythematous/purple patches on the breasts, back and limbs. She previously presented ductal carcinoma in the right breast in 2006 which was treated with mastectomy and proceeded to silicone breast implant in 2009. Clinical hypothesis was telangiectatic metastatic carcinoma. Histopathology showed vascular ectasia, thrombosis and recanalization of upper dermis small vessels. On immunohistochemistry, intravascular cells were CD 68+ and negative for estrogen and progesterone receptors, CK7, EMA and AE1/AE3 and endothelial cells were CD64+, leading to the diagnosis of intravascular histiocytosis.

Is macular lymphocytic arteritis limited to the skin? Long-term follow-up of seven patients

Abstract Background: Macular lymphocytic arteritis most commonly presents as hyperpigmented macules on the lower limbs. The pathogenesis of this disease is still unclear and there is an ongoing debate regarding whether it represents a new form of cutaneous vasculitis or an indolent form of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa. Objective: To describe clinical, histopathological, and laboratory findings of patients with the diagnosis of macular lymphocytic arteritis. Methods: A retrospective search was conducted by reviewing cases followed at the Vasculitis Clinic of the Dermatology Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, between 2005 and 2017. Seven patients were included. Results: All cases were female, aged 9-46 years, and had hyperpigmented macules mainly on the legs. Three patients reported symptoms. Skin biopsies evidencing a predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate affecting arterioles at the dermal subcutaneous junction were found, as well as a typical luminal fibrin ring. None of the patients developed necrotic ulcers, neurological damage, or systemic manifestations. The follow-up ranged from 18 to 151 months, with a mean duration of 79 months. Study limitations: This study is subject to a number of limitations: small sample of patients, besides having a retrospective and uncontrolled study design. Conclusions: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this series presents the longest duration of follow-up reported to date. During this period, none of the patients showed resolution of the lesions despite treatment, nor did any progress to systemic vasculitis. Similarities between clinical and skin biopsy findings support the hypothesis that macular lymphocytic arteritis is a benign, incomplete, and less aggressive form of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.

Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy: light and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Cutaneous collagenous vasculopathy is a rare acquired idiopathic microangiopathy characterized by progressive development of diffuse asymptomatic telangiectasias and histologically by accumulation of collagen type IV around the affected vessels. It is diagnosed by its clinical history, confirmed by light microscopy with collagen-specific immunostaining. We report a case of a patient with extensive acquired telangiectasias on the left arm, clinically resembling unilateral nevoid telangiectasia. Dilated blood vessels with thickened walls were observed in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry with collagen IV antibodies revealed marked collagen deposition around the vessels, confirming the diagnosis. Transmission electron microscopy observed duplicate and triplicate vascular basal membrane associated with deposition of amorphous material around the membranes.

Reporte de caso de granuloma facial, una vasculitis cutánea infrecuente / A case report of granuloma faciale, an uncommon cutaneous vasculitis

El granuloma facial es una dermatosis benigna poco frecuente de etiología desconocida, generalmente asintomática, caracterizada por inflamación crónica y localizada habitualmente en zonas fotoexpuestas de la cara, con un patrón histológico característico. Si bien la respuesta al tratamiento es variable, existen múltiples opciones terapéuticas que han reportado ser efectivas en algunos pacientes. Entre estas alternativas se incluyen tratamientos sistémicos con corticoides y dapsona o tratamientos intralesionales con corticoides, crioterapia e inhibidores de calcineurina tópicos. Describimos el caso de un paciente adulto con una placa eritemato violácea asintomática en mejilla derecha, de crecimiento lentamente progresivo de dos años de evolución, clínica e histopatológicamente compatible con granuloma facial y respuesta favorable a corticoides intralesionales.

Granuloma faciale is an uncommon benign dermatosis, with unknown etiology, usually asymptomatic, characterized by chronic inflammation localized in sun-exposed areas of the face with a characteristic histological pattern. Although response to treatment is variable, there are multiple therapeutic alternatives that have been reported to be effective in some patients, including systemic treatments with steroids and dapsone or also topical treatments like intralesional corticosteroid, cryotherapy and calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus. We present the case of an adult patient with an asymptomatic erythematous-violet plaque on the right cheek, with progressive slow growth over two years, clinically and histologically and pathologically compatible with a facial granuloma. The patient responded well to intralesional corticosteroids.

Pigmented purpura and cutaneous vascular occlusion syndromes

Abstract: Purpura is defined as a visible hemorrhage in the skin or mucosa, which is not evanescent upon pressure. Proper classification allows a better patient approach due to its multiple diagnoses. Purpuras can be categorized by size, morphology, and other characteristics. The course varies according to the etiology, as do the diagnostic approach and treatment. This review discusses pigmented purpuras and some cutaneous vascular occlusion syndromes.

Vascular structures in dermoscopy

AbstractDermoscopy is an aiding method in the visualization of the epidermis and dermis. It is usually used to diagnose melanocytic lesions. In recent years, dermoscopy has increasingly been used to diagnose non-melanocytic lesions. Certain vascular structures, their patterns of arrangement and additional criteria may demonstrate lesion-specific characteristics. In this review, vascular structures and their arrangements are discussed separately in the light of conflicting views and an overview of recent literature.

The case of a boy with nevus of Ota, extensive Mongolian spot, nevus flammeus, nevus anemicus and cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita: a unique instance of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis

Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis is a rare, congenital condition characterized by a combination of cutaneous melanocytic lesions and vascular malformation. We discuss an entirely unique case of Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis with nevus of Ota, extensive Mongolian spot, nevus flammeus, nevus anemicus and cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, which may represent a heretofore undescribed variant of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis.

Angioma serpiginosum: report of an unusual acral case and review of the literature

We report the case of a 35-year-old woman with deep-red asymptomatic macules on the plantar and dorsal skin of the right great toe. Histopathologic fi ndings were compatible with Angioma serpiginosum. Immunohistochemical stains for estrogens and progesterone receptors were negative. Dermoscopy showed an erythematous parallel ridge pattern with double rows of irregular dots and globules. We report an unusual case of angioma serpiginosum with acral volar skin involvement. The dermoscopic features described may aid in the diagnosis of AS in this specifi c skin area. Acral volar skin involvement must be included in the clinical spectrum of Angioma serpiginosum and in the differential diagnosis of acral vascular lesions.

Cutaneous neonatal lupus with cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita-like lesions / Lúpus cutâneo neonatal com lesões semelhantes à cutis marmorata telangiectatica congênita

Neonatal lupus is a rare disease caused by the transplacental transfer of maternal autoantibodies to the foetus, characterized by transient clinical manifestations such as cutaneous, haematological, and hepatobiliary events or permanent such as congenital heart block. The typical cutaneous manifestations include erythematous, scaly, annular or arched lesions on the face, with slight central atrophy and photosensitivy, clinically and histologically similar to subacute cutaneous lupus. However, in some cases, the lesions may resemble those in cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, although this phenomenon is rare and only eight such cases have been reported to date. We report a case of cutaneous neonatal lupus with atypical lesions on the limbs, which had a reddish-purple marbled appearance, resembling the lesions in cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita.

Lúpus neonatal é uma doença rara causada pela transferência de auto-anticorpos maternos para o feto, caracterizada por manifestações clínicas transitórias como cutâneas, hematológicas e hepatobiliares, ou permanentes como o bloqueio cardíaco congênito. As manifestações cutâneas típicas incluem lesões fotossensíveis descamativas, anulares ou arqueadas na face, com discreta atrofia central, clinica e histopatologicamente similares ao lúpus cutâneo subagudo. Entretanto, em alguns casos, as lesões podem lembrar aquelas da cutis marmorata telangiectatica congênita, mas esse fenômeno é raro e somente oito casos foram reportados até hoje. Nós relatamos aqui um caso de lúpus cutâneo neonatal com lesões atípicas nos membros de cor vermelho-purpúricas e aparência marmórea, semelhantes às lesões da cutis marmorata telangiectatica congênita.

Case for diagnosis / Caso para diagnóstico

A 27 year-old-man, with no known personal or familial history of disease, mentioned a 10-year history of asymptomatic groups of telangiectasias, with a Blaschko lines distribution on the right lateral aspect of the neck and asymptomatic. He denied any episodes of disease or drug intake that could be associated with the disease. Blood work had no changes, namely of liver enzymes or infectious serologies. The clinical diagnosis of Idiopathic Acquired Unilateral Nevoid Telangiectasia was made, an uncommon, benign vascular malformation. The patient declined doing a cutaneous biopsy or treatment with a cosmetic intent.

Um homem de 27 anos, sem quaisquer antecedentes patológicos pessoais ou familiares conhecidos, mencionava dermatose com cerca de 10 anos de evolução, caracterizada por agrupamentos de telangiectasias, de distribuição blaschkóide, na face lateral direita do pescoço e assintomáticas. Negava quaisquer episódios de doença ou toma de fármacos que pudessem estar relacionados com esta doença. As análises sanguíneas do doente estavam inalteradas, nomeadamente os enzimas hepáticos e serologias infecciosas. Foi efectuado o diagnóstico clínico de Telangiectasia Nevóide Unilateral Adquirida, idiopática, uma malformação vascular benigna pouco comum. O doente prescindiu da realização de biópsia cutânea ou tratamento de intenção cosmética.

Vasculopatía livedoide: reporte de dos casos / Livedoid vasculopathy: a two case report

Vasculopatía livedoide es una enfermedad poco frecuente que se presenta principalmente en mujeres de edad media de la vida, antes de los cuarenta años. Es llamado también atrofia blanca, livedo reticular con ulceración de verano, vasculitis hialinizante segmentaria, o PURPLE (úlceras purpúricas dolorosas con patrón reticular de extremidades inferiores). Generalmente afecta los tobillos y se exacerba en primavera y verano. Su etiología es aún desconocida, pero se puede clasificar en formas primarias (sin ninguna patología asociada) y secundarias, ambos con un componente trombótico. A continuación se describen dos casos de vasculopatía livedoide: una mujer de 22 años con úlcera en pierna izquierda y púrpura retiforme en ambas extremidades. El estudio demostró que el cuadro estaba asociado o síndrome antifosfolípidos. El segundo caso es de una mujer de 47 años con uno vasculopatía livedoide secundaria o lupus eritematoso sistémico.

Livedoid vasculitis is a rare disease that occurs mainly in women under 40 years of age. It has also be ennamed atrofia blanche, hyaline segmentary vasculitis or PURPLE (purpuric ulcers with reticular pattem in low legs). It usually affects ankles and has an exacerbation during Spring and Summer seasons. It has an unknown etiology, and it has been classified as primary (or idiopathic) or secondary (associated to another disease). We describe two cases of livedoid vasculopathy: the first case is o 22-year-old women with ulcers and retiform purpura associated to antiphospholipid syndrome. The second case is o 47-year-old women with livedoid vasculopathy associated to systemic lupus erythematosus.

Síndrome de Sneddon: a propósito de un caso / Sneddon syndrome: a case report

El síndrome de Sneddon (SS) es una vasculopatía oclusiva poco frecuente, de etiología no bien precisada, que compromete principalmente la piel (livedo reticularis), el sistema nervioso central (accidentes vasculares isquémicos) y el sistema cardiovascular (hipertensión arterial). Se describe una forma idiopática primaria, una trombótica y una asociada a patologías autoinmunes como el síndrome antifosfolípidos. La livedo reticularis suele preceder al resto de las manifestaciones. La biopsia de piel tomada del centro del retículo es característica. El estudio de laboratorio incluye la búsqueda de algunas mesenquimopatías y la pesquisa serológica del síndrome antifosfolípidos. Entre las posibilidades terapéuticas se incluyen la anticoagulación, la administración de antiagregantes plaquetarios y el evitar agentes protrombóticos. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 45 años con deterioro cognitivo, accidentes cerebrovasculares trombóticos, hipertensión arterial y livedo reticularis, en el que se diagnostica SS. Es manejado con aspirina y antihipertensivos, evolucionando favorablemente. Destacamos la importancia de reconocer los hallazgos cutáneos del SS para un oportuno diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Sneddon’s syndrome (SS) is a rare vasculopathy of partially known etiology affecting mainly the skin (livedo reticularis), central nervous system (ischemic cerebrovascular episodes) and cardiovascular system. A primary idiopathic form, a thrombotic form and one associated with autoimmune diseases such as the antiphospholipid syndrome, are described. Livedo reticularis is commonly the first manifestation. Skin biopsy taken from the center of the reticulum is characteristic. Laboratory study includes a screening of antiphospholipid syndrome and mesenquimopathies. Possible treatments are anticoagulation, administration of platelet antiagregants and avoidance of pro-thrombotic agents. We present the case of a 45 year old man with dementia, thrombotic cerebrovascular disease, hypertension and livedo reticularis, who is diagnosed with SS. The patient is managed with aspirin and antihypertension drugs, with good response. We reinforce the importance of SS skin manifestations for a proper and quick diagnosis and treatment.

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia in angiokeratoma.

Papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson's tumour) is a reactive proliferation of endothelium producing papillary structures with fibrovascular cores. Dilatation, stasis and accompanying inflammation have been incriminated as the inciting events, evident by the presence of this lesion in haemorrhoids, urethral caruncles and laryngeal polyps. We present here a case of papillary endothelial hyperplasia in angiokeratoma hitherto undescribed despite sharing common etiopathogenetic features of dilatation and stasis with other aforementioned lesions.

Fênomeno de Raynaud grave associado a terapia com interferon-beta para esclerose múltipla: relato de caso / Severe Raynaud's phenomenon associated with interferon-beta therapy for multiple sclerosis: case report

Interferon-B (IFN-beta) é usado no tratamento de esclerose múltipla (EM). Descrevemos o caso de uma mulher com EM que apresentou fenômeno de Raynaud grave, livedo reticular e necrose digital duas semanas após tratamento com IFN-beta. Os sintomas melhoraram após suspensão do IFN-beta e início de anticoagulação associada a ciclofosfamida e corticóide. Fenômeno de Raynaud é um efeito colateral provável da terapia com IFN-beta para EM.