Small skin blood vessel occlusions by cryoglobulin aggregates in ulcerative lesions in IgM-IgG cryoglobulinemia

Cutaneous Vasculitis Update: Small Vessel Neutrophilic Vasculitis Syndromes

A broad and diverse spectrum of vasculitic syndromes exists. These syndromes affect the skin with varying levels of associated systemic manifestations, running the gamut from a self-limited, localized, cutaneous phenomenon to rapidly progressive, multiorgan disease. The majority of cases of cutaneous vasculitis will show a neutrophilic small vessel vasculitis that can be either a primary (idiopathic) disorder (eg, cutaneous leukocytoclastic angiitis) or a secondary disorder that is associated with drugs, infection (eg, streptococcal infection, viral hepatitis), or underlying disease (eg, connective tissue disease, malignancy). Biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of cutaneous vasculitis and also necessary for the detection of cutaneous vascular immune complexes by direct immunofluorescence. Based on the type of vessel disrupted by inflammation (small and/or muscular), the distribution of vasculitis in the dermis and subcutis, and predominate inflammatory cell-type mediating vessel wall damage, a list of relevant differential diagnoses can be generated. This histologic information coupled with extravascular findings such as tissue eosinophilia, tissue neutrophilia, and/or granulomas, plus pathophysiologic markers such as direct immunofluorescent examination for immune complexes and serologic evaluation for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies allows for more accurate diagnosis of specific vasculitic entities. Herein, we review both primary and secondary vasculitic syndromes that affect the skin and show a small vessel neutrophilic mediated vasculitis.

Angiomatosis of skin with local intravascular immunoglobulin deposits, associated with monoclonal gammopathy. A potential cutaneous marker for B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia. A report of unusual case with immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence correlation and review of the literature

Reactive cutaneous vascular proliferation or angiomatosis is associated with various conditions, but is rarely seen secondary to vascular occlusion. We report an unusual case of a 79-year-old female who presented with 8 month history of purpuric facial plaques, with painful crusted ulceration of the nose, later developing similar eruptions on hands, thighs and trunk. Biopsies showed marked angioproliferation, with intravascular (IV) hyaline deposits (PAS+, fibrin+/-; IgM+, fibrinogen+, and C3+), associated with endothelial hyperplasia (Factor VIII+, Vimentin+). Immunofluorescence showed IV IgM, fibrinogen, and granular C3 deposits within vessel walls. Initially, extensive investigations only showed minimal monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and repeatedly negative cryoglobulins. After a 3-year follow-up, the patient developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). This case illustrates a difficult diagnostic challenge. Although this condition resembles other forms of reactive angiomatosis, it shows distinct features and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual vascular proliferations of the skin. The cutaneous lesions are also considered a potential marker for an underlying systemic condition, which may require prolonged clinical follow-up. We believe this condition to be related to other rare cutaneous vascular proliferations associated with plasma cell and lymphoproliferative disorders. Furthermore, we suggest a common pathogenetic pathway resulting from the IV immunoglobulin deposits causing vascular injury, finally leading to the angiomatosis.

Cutaneous manifestations of cryoglobulinemia: clinical and histopathologic study of seventy-two patients

In the 72 cases of cryoglobulinemia reviewed, erythematous to purpuric macules or papules were present in 92%. Infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, and ulcers were present in 10% to 25% of the patients and were relatively more common in type I cryoglobulinemia than in the other types. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was noted in 40%. Lesions on the leg were common in all types of cryoglobulinemia; however, lesions on the head and mucosal surfaces suggested type I cryoglobulinemia. Histopathologic features were classified as vasculitis in 50%, inflammatory or noninflammatory purpura in 15%, noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis in 10%, and postinflammatory sequelae in 10%. Noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis was relatively more frequent in type I. Thus erythematous to purpuric lesions on the legs and leukocytoclastic vasculitis are the common cutaneous findings in cryoglobulinemia. Type I cryoglobulinemia is suggested by noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis, cutaneous infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, skin ulcerations, and lesions of the head and neck and of oral or nasal mucosa.

Calcium oxalate and other crystals associated with kidney diseases and arthritis

The recognition of tissue deposits of crystalline material in a variety of organs, including the kidney, predated the association of crystals and arthritic disease. Because of this, the pathophysiology of crystal formation and its resultant inflammation is based in part on studies of renal stones. A number of disease states involving renal and articular crystallization exist. The most common of these, uric acid precipitation, or gout, and calcium phosphate precipitation were not reviewed in this discussion. This review described a variety of less common disease states involving articular and renal crystal deposition. The renal diseases discussed included both parenchymal or ectopic crystal deposition, as seen in nephrocalcinosis or cystinosis, and ductal crystallization as seen in renal calculus disease. The crystals involved included not only calcium oxalate, but also aluminum, amino acids and proteins (cystine, hemoglobin, cryoglobulins, and immunoglobulins), purine metabolites (xanthine, hypoxanthine), and even lipids and their degradative enzymes (cholesterol, phospholipids, phospholipase, and fatty acids). The simultaneous occurrence of crystals in both kidneys and joints was found in some cases to result from the systemic deposition of an excess of a particular biological compound. However, of more interest, some renal deposits were shown to more selectively reflect the normal or abnormal function of the kidney in its secretory and excretory roles. This is particularly evident in the variety of arthritic states described in end-stage renal disease.

Acute cryoglobulinemic renal failure after intravenous infusion of gamma globulin

A 39-year-old woman had mixed IgM/IgG cryoglobulinemia, but was later found to have a lymphoma that produced an IgM kappa paraprotein with rheumatoid factor activity. With intermittent chlorambucil and prednisone therapy, the lymphoma was controlled for five years and she had no evidence of cryoglobulinemia. Because of the presence of intractable pulmonary infection and hypogammaglobulinemia G, she was given an intravenous infusion of gamma globulin. Within 72 hours, renal failure and a sustained decrease in serum concentrations of IgM and IgG began concurrently. A kidney biopsy specimen obtained five days after the infusion showed hyaline "thrombi" in numerous glomerular capillaries and glomerular necrosis, consistent with acute, severe mixed cryoglobulinemic nephropathy. Immunostaining showed strong positivity for IgM, IgG, and light chains in glomerular capillary lumina and subendothelial sites; immunostaining with a monoclonal antiidiotypic antibody specific for the patient's paraprotein established the presence of the rheumatoid factor paraprotein in the deposits. These observations strongly suggest that complexes consisting of IgM kappa rheumatoid factor, IgG, and complement initiated the renal damage. Therefore, demonstrable serum rheumatoid factor activity in patients with B cell neoplasms should be considered a contraindication to the administration of intravenous gamma globulin.

Cryofibrinogenemic purpura

A 50-year-old male patient had three episodes of acrally located purpura within 12 years without any other symptoms. The first two episodes which lasted several months coincided with the intake of beta-blockers; the third episode developed after a respiratory infection. A cryofibrinogenemia was found without any evidence of an underlying primary disease, especially not of a neoplasm. The clinical, histological, immunohistological, and electron microscopical findings, as well as the results obtained by intravital fluorescence videomicroscopy are presented.

Fever in various rheumatic diseases

In many rheumatic diseases fever may occur. This review presents data about the frequency of fever in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, crystal induced arthritis, various vasculitides and sarcoidosis. The mechanism by which body temperature rises in these situations is discussed.