J Korean Med Sci.  2009 Feb;24(1):184-186. 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.1.184.

Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Her MY
• Song JY
• Kim DY

• KMID: 1794431
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2009.24.1.184

Abstract

Urticarial vasculitis is characterized clinically by urticarial skin lesions and histologically by leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis is associated with connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of urticarial vasculitis that preceded manifestations of SLE.

Keyword

Complement; Urticarial Vasculitis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

MeSH Terms

Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology
Middle Aged
Recurrence
Skin/pathology
Urticaria/complications/*diagnosis
Vasculitis, Hypersensitivity/complications/*diagnosis/pathology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Urticarial vasculitic skin lesions on the back of the patient. Urticarial plaques frequently persisted for more than 24 hr.

• 

  Fig. 2 Skin biopsy revealed diffuse polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration in the dermis and multifocal neutrophilic and nuclear dust infiltration at small vessel walls (H&E, ×200).

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  Fig. 3 Electron micrograph showed multiple global subepithelial electron dense deposits. A neomembrane covered the deposits and bridges the intervening basement membrane spikes. The foot process were effaced (×7,500).

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