title: Bullous skin lesions in an adult male: a diagnostic dilemma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is an IgA small-vessel vasculitis that is primarily a disease of childhood. Its presentation in adulthood is rare and has a more severe disease course. We present a case with an atypical presentation of this disease that was a diagnostic challenge for multiple providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 42-year-old man noticed bullous lesions over his ankles that spread to his entire legs over a few weeks. They later became necrotic and ulcerated areas. His primary care physician and 2 dermatologists could not reach a definitive diagnosis. He then presented to our hospital with new abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and a new elevation in liver enzymes. A biopsy of his skin lesions led to the diagnosis of HSP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We discuss this highly unusual initial presentation with bullous skin lesions and liver enzyme abnormalities and explore the medical literature to understand its pathogenesis. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare presentation to avoid a delay in diagnosis and management.
authors: Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors: Gaurav
authors: G
authors: Gulati
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Siv
authors: Division of Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors: Avis E
authors: AE
authors: Ware
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001768:Blister / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed