title: Cutaneous manifestations of cryoglobulinemia: clinical and histopathologic study of seventy-two patients.
abstract: In the 72 cases of cryoglobulinemia reviewed, erythematous to purpuric macules or papules were present in 92%. Infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, and ulcers were present in 10% to 25% of the patients and were relatively more common in type I cryoglobulinemia than in the other types. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was noted in 40%. Lesions on the leg were common in all types of cryoglobulinemia; however, lesions on the head and mucosal surfaces suggested type I cryoglobulinemia. Histopathologic features were classified as vasculitis in 50%, inflammatory or noninflammatory purpura in 15%, noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis in 10%, and postinflammatory sequelae in 10%. Noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis was relatively more frequent in type I. Thus erythematous to purpuric lesions on the legs and leukocytoclastic vasculitis are the common cutaneous findings in cryoglobulinemia. Type I cryoglobulinemia is suggested by noninflammatory hyaline thrombosis, cutaneous infarction, hemorrhagic crusts, skin ulcerations, and lesions of the head and neck and of oral or nasal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pittelkow
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*