Ihovaskuliitin monimuotoinen taudinkuva, hoito ja ennuste

Vasculitis of the skin (cutaneous vasculitis) is defined as inflammatory cell-mediated destruction of the
vessels of the skin. Small vessels are predominantly affected (arterioles, capillaries, and venules), but
occasionally also medium size arteries. Typical clinical signs of cutaneous vasculitis include purpura, livedo
racemosa and urticaria; moreover, destruction of the vessel walls and subsequent ischaemia can result in
the development of necrosis and an ulcer.
Diagnosis of cutaneous vasculitis should be confirmed by histopathological analysis, and the aetiology of
the vasculitis and the possibility of the presence of systemic disease should be assessed. Mild vasculitis
of the skin without evidence of systemic disease may improve even without treatment, whereas patients
with vasculitic ulcers should be treated by dermatologists specialized in the treatment of atypical ulcers.
Often a multidisciplinary team is also needed. The treatment should be tailored individually taking into an
account the aetiology of the vasculitis, the patient’s comorbidities, other medications and the severity of
the cutaneous manifestations.
The prognosis of cutaneous vasculitis varies and is dependent on the manifestation, aetiology and severity
of this disease. Most patients diagnosed as having cutaneous vasculitis have mild and self-limiting
disease, but cutaneous vasculitis may also lead to amputation of a limb or at worst even to death. Disease
recurrences can also occur.