Generalized vasculitis, thrombocytopenia, and transient lymphoproliferative disorder caused by idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia.
We present a 75-year-old patient with recurrent palpable purpura and multiorgan involvement by leukocytoclastic vasculitis caused by mixed-type cryoglobulinemia. The disease spanned 40 years, with many flare-ups, each associated with thrombocytopenia, and finally culminated in widespread involvement of not only the skin and the kidneys but also the lungs and spleen. Despite extensive investigation, no association with hepatitis C virus or with any malignant or connective tissue disorder was found.
Schwartzenberg
Shmuel
S
Department of Medicine T, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Israel.
Levo
Yoram
Y
Averbuch
Mordechai
M
D000368:Aged; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D006854:Hydrocortisone