Urticarial vasculitis: A histopathologic and clinical review of 72 cases

Pathology of the Cutaneous Vasculitides: A Comprehensive Review

“…Neutrophilic vasculitis is more common in HUV whereas eosinophilic vasculitis predominates in NUV (see Figure 5) (Davis et al, 1998). Direct immunofluorescence reveals peri-vascular deposits of C3 and immunoglobulins, mostly IgM, however, DIF is more frequently positive in HUV as opposed to NUV (87% versus 29%) (Mehregan et al, 1992). Likewise, basement membrane deposition of immunoglobulins and/or C3 is seen on DIF, but more commonly in HUV than NUV (70% versus 18%) (Mehregan et al, 1992).…”

“…Direct immunofluorescence reveals peri-vascular deposits of C3 and immunoglobulins, mostly IgM, however, DIF is more frequently positive in HUV as opposed to NUV (87% versus 29%) (Mehregan et al, 1992). Likewise, basement membrane deposition of immunoglobulins and/or C3 is seen on DIF, but more commonly in HUV than NUV (70% versus 18%) (Mehregan et al, 1992). 70% of patients with basement membrane deposition of immunoreactants will also have glomerulonephritis (Chen & Carlson, 2008).…”

“…There is a wide spectrum of histologic findings in UV, ranging from sparse neutrophilic infiltrate of small vessels to more severe lesions with a dense neutrophilic vasculitis, leukocytoclasia, extravasated red blood cells, endothelial cell swelling and fibrin deposits (Jones et al, 1983). The superficial and mid-dermal vessels are most commonly affected, however, vascular destruction can extend into the deep dermal and pannicular vessels (Davis et al, 1998;Mehregan et al, 1992). Neutrophilic vasculitis is more common in HUV whereas eosinophilic vasculitis predominates in NUV (see Figure 5) (Davis et al, 1998).…”

“…Patients are typically female in their fourth to fifth decade of life (Chen & Carlson, 2008). Systemic symptoms such as fever, angioedema, arthralgias, and abdominal pain are usually present (Mehregan et al, 1992). Two clinical variants, hypocomplementemia UV (HUV) and normocomplementemia UV (NUV), exist.…”

Hypocomplementemic Urticarial Vasculitis in a Pediatric Patient

“…The urticarial lesions last for 2 to 4 days then fade without scarring. Angioedema may be found when a vasculitis involves deeper vessels [14].…”