Urticarial vasculitis

Abstract

Urtcarial vasculitis is a well-defined nosological entity, presented by urticaria-like lesions, histologically characterized as leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The dermatological changes persist for more than 24 hours and after their extinction hyperpigmentations remain. The dermatological changes are accompanied by an angioedema of the face and/or the hands, a part of the patients has arthritis and/or arthralgia. The following laboratory results are of great importance for the diagnosis: high levels of circulating immune complexes, low levels of C3 and C4 complement components and histological data for leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A part of the patients have positive ANA and ANCA.