Successful treatment with tacrolimus in a case of the glucocorticoid-dependent recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis

Recurrent cutaneous necrotising eosinophilic vasculitis

Recurrent cutaneous necrotising eosinophilic vasculitis (RCNEV) is a rare disease that was first described in 1994. We report a case of RCNEV treated with corticosteroid, and 18 cases that we identified in the literature. Our review of the literature shows that RCNEV was frequently identified in middle-aged females from Asia and usually presents as erythematous to purpuric papuloplaques, angio-oedema on the extremities, as well as peripheral eosinophilia. Histopathologically, RCNEV is characterised by exclusively eosinophilic infiltration around the vascular plexus, the absence of leukocytoclasis and fibrinoid degeneration of vascular walls. Although, RCNEV responds to corticosteroid treatment, relapses have occurred during dose tapering. We also discuss the mechanisms of vascular destruction, the differential diagnosis and steroid-sparing therapies for RCNEV.

"Idiopathic Eosinophilic Vasculitis": Another Side of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome? A Comprehensive Analysis of 117 Cases in Asthma-Free Patients

BACKGROUND

The absence of asthma may rule out a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and features of vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE

To describe eosinophilic vasculitis (EoV) as a possible manifestation of HES in asthma-free patients.

METHODS

We screened our hospital database and the literature for patients with HES who met the following 4 criteria: (1) histopathological or clinical features of EoV (biopsy-proven vasculitis with predominant eosinophilic infiltration of the vessel wall and/or features of vasculitis with tissue and/or blood hypereosinophilia [absolute eosinophil count >1.5 G/L]); (2) no other obvious causes of reactive eosinophilia, organ damage, and vasculitis; (3) the absence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies; and (4) the absence of current asthma.

RESULTS

Ten of our 83 (12%) asthma-free patients with HES and 107 additional cases in the literature met the criteria for EoV. After a critical analysis of the patients' clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes, we identified 41 cases of single-organ EoV (coronary arteritis, n = 29; temporal arteritis, n = 8; cerebral vasculitis, n = 4). Of the remaining 76 patients with EoV, the most frequent manifestations (>10%) were cutaneous vasculitis (56%), peripheral neuropathy (24%), thromboangiitis obliterans-like disease (16%), fever (13%), central nervous system involvement (13%), deep venous thrombosis (12%), and nonasthma lung manifestations (12%). Blood hypereosinophilia more than 1.5 G/L was observed in 79% of patients, and necrotizing vasculitis was observed in 44%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that idiopathic EoV (HES-associated vasculitis) can be classified as an eosinophilic-rich, necrotizing, systemic form of vasculitis that affects vessels of various sizes in asthma-free patients.

Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histologic Features of Recurrent Cutaneous Eosinophilic Vasculitis Cases

Primary recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis is a rare condition characterized by pruritic, erythematous, purpuric plaques associated to edema. We compared and analyze the clinical, dermoscopic and histological features of the disease in 4 patients from our hospital and 13 patients published in the literature. Seventeen patients were included, with a median age of 56yo, a median duration of disease of 6 months. Lesions were most frequently generalized (47%) or localized in lower limbs (41%). The most frequent features were purpuric color (71%), local edema (65%), necrotizing vasculitis (94%) and eosinophil infiltration (100%) in histology. Most of the patients (82.4%) were given oral steroids with a median dose of 30mg. Primary recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis might be an infra-diagnosed condition. The analysis of the patients allowed us to propose diagnostic criteria for the definition of this disease. We suggest a therapeutic strategy with high-potency steroids and dapsone, which might be considered as first-line treatment.

Recurrent Cutaneous Eosinophilic Vasculitis: A Rare Entity

Recurrent cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis is a rare entity described by Chen et al. It has a benign course without any systemic involvement. However, often long-term treatment with systemic steroids is required. The exact etiopathogenesis remains unknown. We report a female patient, who presented with recurrent pruritic purpuric papules and plaques affecting different body parts of long duration. Disease was well controlled with low dose systemic steroids, but invariably recurred on its withdrawal. Histology revealed the features of eosinophilic vasculitis. Subsequent detailed evaluation ruled out systemic involvement, underlying diseases, and any precipitating factors. Hence, a diagnosis of recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis was made. Patient showed excellent response to prednisolone, and on tapering the drug, it was found that she needed a maintenance dose of 5 mg/day. We did not come across any previous reports of recurrent cutaneous eosinophilic vasculitis from India.