title: Plasma exchange in refractory cutaneous vasculitis.
abstract: Eight patients with intractable cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis were given a trial of plasma-exchange therapy. All but one improved, five substantially. Four have been successfully treated by intermittent plasma exchange for periods of 5-12 years. Apart from one episode of hepatitis B, possibly related to administration of fresh frozen plasma, no major adverse effects have occurred. Plasma exchange can be a valuable therapeutic option in patients with severe refractory cutaneous vasculitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Pusey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000628:therapy*