Allergic vasculitis has been termed leukocytoclastic vasculitis necrotizing vasculitis, allergic angiitis or hypersensitivity angiitis. This type of vasculitis is caused by arthus phenomenon. Characteristic pathologic features include fibrinoid
necrosis
of small vessel wall and neutrophilic infiltration in and around the vessels with leukocytoclasis. There is a spectrum of clinical presentation of allergic vasculitis, ranging from benign cutaneous lesions to full-blown systemic disease. The
clinical
manifestation associated with systemic allergic vasculitis are protean. The initial symptom is most frequently cutaneous lesions. All visceral organs could potentially be involved. The kidneys, joints, gastrointestinal tract, lungs and heart are
commonly involved. The gastrointestinal manifestations are abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding caused by vascular damage, ulceration and local mucosal necrosis. Mural infarct corresponds to ischemic enteritis is hardly seen.
Recently, we have experienced such a case that the intestinal symptoms proceded the skin and renal lesions and emergency laparotomy was necessitated.
|