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.
Subject(s)
Arteritis/pathology , Skin Diseases, Vascular/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Biopsy , Child , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hyperpigmentation/pathology , Immunohistochemistry , Lymphocytes/pathology , Middle Aged , Polyarteritis Nodosa/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Young AdultABSTRACT
The panniculitides remain as one of the most challenging areas for clinicians, as they comprise a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases involving the subcutaneous fat with potentially-shared clinical and histopathological features. Clinically, most panniculitides present as red edematous nodules or plaques. Therefore, in addition to a detailed clinical history, a large scalpel biopsy of a recent-stage lesion with adequate representation of the subcutaneous tissue is essential to specific diagnosis and appropriate clinical management. Herein we review the panniculitides of particular interest to the rheumatologist.
Subject(s)
Panniculitis/pathology , Rheumatologists , Behcet Syndrome/pathology , Biopsy/methods , Erythema Induratum/pathology , Erythema Nodosum/pathology , Etanercept/adverse effects , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Infections/pathology , Panniculitis/classification , Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus/pathology , Polyarteritis Nodosa/pathology , Subcutaneous Fat/pathology , Subcutaneous Tissue/pathology , Vasculitis/pathologyABSTRACT
Abstract The panniculitides remain as one of the most challenging areas for clinicians, as they comprise a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases involving the subcutaneous fat with potentially-shared clinical and histopathological features. Clinically, most panniculitides present as red edematous nodules or plaques. Therefore, in addition to a detailed clinical history, a large scalpel biopsy of a recent-stage lesion with adequate representation of the subcutaneous tissue is essential to specific diagnosis and appropriate clinical management. Herein we review the panniculitides of particular interest to the rheumatologist.
