Cutaneous Small-Vessel Vasculitis in Two Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Case Series and Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis (CSVV) is an infrequent manifestation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We report two cases of CSVV associated with ulcerative colitis, review the literature, and discuss the diagnostic evaluation of children who present with CSVV and abdominal pain. After excluding more common causes of CSVV and abdominal pain in children, including immunoglobulin A vasculitis (previously Henoch-Schönlein purpura), infectious colitis, and drug-induced vasculitis, alternative diagnoses such as CSVV secondary to IBD or systemic vasculitis with gastrointestinal involvement must be considered.