Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Commons^™

Ulcerating Plaques Of The Lower Extremities Of A 23-Year-Old Female, Robyn O. Okereke, Christian J. Scheufele, Michael Carletti, Stephen E. Weis, Carlos Bahrami

North Texas GME Research Forum 2024

INTRODUCTION: What should come to mind when any physician sees dark red spots on the legs? If you answered vasculitis, then you are on the right track. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is defined as small vessel inflammation of the dermal capillaries and venules. The clinical hallmark finding of LCV is palpable purpura (raised, round, purple plaques) on the lower extremities. LCV is confirmed by histopathology showing neutrophilic infiltration in the walls of dermal vasculature. Though LCV is the most common cause of clinical vasculitis, the annual incidence of biopsy-proven LCV is approximately 30-45 per million individuals. LCV typically occurs in adults …