Methotrexate in the treatment of recalcitrant nodular vasculitis

Abstract

We report a case of recalcitrant nodular vasculitis in a 23 years old male who was treated successfully with methotrexate. He presented to our Dermatology out Patient Department, Tribhuvan university teaching hospital with complaints of recurrent painful discharging ulcer over bilateral calf and lower legs of three years duration. The diagnosis of nodular vasculitis was made on the basis of the clinical presentation and the histopathological findings. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis treatment with initial good response; however the lesions persisted later on, despite completing the course of ATT. The patient did not respond to treatment with systemic corticosteroids also. On starting methotrexate, the lesion started healing within a period of two weeks and there was significant improvement in subsequent one month. This case report highlights the efficacy of methotrexate in the treatment of recalcitrant nodular vasculitis.