Urticarial vasculitis: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name                    = Urticarial vasculitis
| image                  = [[File:Complement_pathway.svg|250px]]
| caption                = Diagram of the complement pathway, which is involved in urticarial vasculitis
| field                  = [[Rheumatology]], [[Dermatology]]
| symptoms                = [[Hives]], [[angioedema]], [[arthralgia]], [[fever]]
| complications          = [[Renal failure]], [[pulmonary involvement]], [[ocular involvement]]
| onset                  = Any age, but more common in adults
| duration                = Chronic, can last for weeks to months
| causes                  = [[Autoimmune disorder]], [[complement deficiency]]
| risks                  = [[Systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[Sjogren's syndrome]], [[hypocomplementemia]]
| diagnosis              = [[Skin biopsy]], [[blood test]] for complement levels
| differential            = [[Chronic urticaria]], [[systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[cryoglobulinemia]]
| treatment              = [[Antihistamines]], [[corticosteroids]], [[immunosuppressants]]
| medication              = [[Hydroxychloroquine]], [[dapsone]], [[colchicine]]
| prognosis              = Variable, depends on underlying cause and response to treatment
| frequency              = Rare
}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Urticarial Vasculitis}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Urticarial Vasculitis}}
== Urticarial Vasculitis ==
[[File:Complement_pathway.svg|thumb|right|Diagram of the complement pathway, which is involved in urticarial vasculitis.]]
'''Urticarial vasculitis''' is a rare form of [[vasculitis]] characterized by the presence of urticarial lesions that are associated with histological evidence of [[leukocytoclastic vasculitis]]. Unlike typical [[urticaria]], the lesions in urticarial vasculitis are often painful, last longer than 24 hours, and may leave residual [[hyperpigmentation]].
'''Urticarial vasculitis''' is a rare form of [[vasculitis]] characterized by the presence of urticarial lesions that are associated with histological evidence of [[leukocytoclastic vasculitis]]. Unlike typical [[urticaria]], the lesions in urticarial vasculitis are often painful, last longer than 24 hours, and may leave residual [[hyperpigmentation]].
== Pathophysiology ==
== Pathophysiology ==
Urticarial vasculitis is associated with the activation of the [[complement system]], particularly the classical pathway. The complement pathway is a part of the [[immune system]] that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells. In urticarial vasculitis, the activation of the complement system leads to inflammation and damage to the small blood vessels in the skin.
Urticarial vasculitis is associated with the activation of the [[complement system]], particularly the classical pathway. The complement pathway is a part of the [[immune system]] that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells. In urticarial vasculitis, the activation of the complement system leads to inflammation and damage to the small blood vessels in the skin.
== Clinical Features ==
== Clinical Features ==
Patients with urticarial vasculitis typically present with:
Patients with urticarial vasculitis typically present with:
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* Possible systemic symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain.
* Possible systemic symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain.
* Residual hyperpigmentation or purpura after the lesions resolve.
* Residual hyperpigmentation or purpura after the lesions resolve.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
The diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis is confirmed by a skin biopsy showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Laboratory tests may reveal low levels of complement components, such as C3 and C4, indicating complement consumption.
The diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis is confirmed by a skin biopsy showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Laboratory tests may reveal low levels of complement components, such as C3 and C4, indicating complement consumption.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment of urticarial vasculitis depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of systemic involvement. Options include:
Treatment of urticarial vasculitis depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of systemic involvement. Options include:
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* [[Corticosteroids]] for more severe cases.
* [[Corticosteroids]] for more severe cases.
* Immunosuppressive agents such as [[azathioprine]] or [[cyclophosphamide]] for refractory cases.
* Immunosuppressive agents such as [[azathioprine]] or [[cyclophosphamide]] for refractory cases.
== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==
The prognosis of urticarial vasculitis varies. Some patients experience a self-limited course, while others may have chronic or recurrent disease. The presence of systemic involvement can affect the overall prognosis.
The prognosis of urticarial vasculitis varies. Some patients experience a self-limited course, while others may have chronic or recurrent disease. The presence of systemic involvement can affect the overall prognosis.
 
== See Also ==
== Related Pages ==
* [[Vasculitis]]
* [[Vasculitis]]
* [[Urticaria]]
* [[Urticaria]]
* [[Complement system]]
* [[Complement system]]
* [[Immune system]]
* [[Immune system]]
[[Category:Dermatology]]
[[Category:Dermatology]]
[[Category:Vasculitis]]
[[Category:Vasculitis]]

Latest revision as of 06:37, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Urticarial vasculitis
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Hives, angioedema, arthralgia, fever
Complications Renal failure, pulmonary involvement, ocular involvement
Onset Any age, but more common in adults
Duration Chronic, can last for weeks to months
Types N/A
Causes Autoimmune disorder, complement deficiency
Risks Systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, hypocomplementemia
Diagnosis Skin biopsy, blood test for complement levels
Differential diagnosis Chronic urticaria, systemic lupus erythematosus, cryoglobulinemia
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antihistamines, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants
Medication Hydroxychloroquine, dapsone, colchicine
Prognosis Variable, depends on underlying cause and response to treatment
Frequency Rare
Deaths N/A


Urticarial vasculitis is a rare form of vasculitis characterized by the presence of urticarial lesions that are associated with histological evidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Unlike typical urticaria, the lesions in urticarial vasculitis are often painful, last longer than 24 hours, and may leave residual hyperpigmentation.

Pathophysiology[edit]

Urticarial vasculitis is associated with the activation of the complement system, particularly the classical pathway. The complement pathway is a part of the immune system that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells. In urticarial vasculitis, the activation of the complement system leads to inflammation and damage to the small blood vessels in the skin.

Clinical Features[edit]

Patients with urticarial vasculitis typically present with:

  • Urticarial lesions that are painful or burning rather than itchy.
  • Lesions that persist for more than 24 hours.
  • Possible systemic symptoms such as fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain.
  • Residual hyperpigmentation or purpura after the lesions resolve.

Diagnosis[edit]

The diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis is confirmed by a skin biopsy showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Laboratory tests may reveal low levels of complement components, such as C3 and C4, indicating complement consumption.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment of urticarial vasculitis depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of systemic involvement. Options include:

Prognosis[edit]

The prognosis of urticarial vasculitis varies. Some patients experience a self-limited course, while others may have chronic or recurrent disease. The presence of systemic involvement can affect the overall prognosis.

See Also[edit]