Lower extremity vasculitic ulcers – Case Report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Vasculitides are diseases usually caused by the deposition of immune complexes in the vascular endothelium, triggering inflammation with or without vessel necrosis. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis affects small- caliber vessels, especially venules, it’s treatment can be long and complex and the condition may become extended when not followed correctly. This paper aims to report a form of vasculitis that manifests itself, among other forms, through skin ulcers, focusing on the clinical approach of the phenomenon and disease.

CASE REPORT: Female patient, 54 years old, presenting chronic venous disease and acute leukocytoclastic vasculitis, associated with persistent ulcers, pruritus and paresthesia that affected both legs and feet. The treatment, based on the use of vasodilators, corticoids and oral antibiotics, followed by dressings with antimicrobial action on the lesions, led to a complete remission of the wounds and reduction of symptoms within 6 months. As for the venous disease, radiofrequency thermoablation of saphenous veins was performed in association with phlebectomy of tributary veins, leading to significant improvement of the swelling and local paresthesia.

CONCLUSION: The treatment of patients with cutaneous ulcers associated with vasculitis demands the use of several medications and tends to be long-term. Patient’s compliance is extremely important for improving the prognosis of the disease. In addition, radiofrequency thermoablation is shown to be an effective and safe option for the treatment of incompetent saphenous veins, with less recurrence of cutaneous ulcers compared to surgery.