Cutaneous Small Vessel Vasculitis: A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Management

Cutaneous vasculitis may be a cutaneous manifestation of systemic vasculitis, a skin-limited variant of systemic vasculitis, or a type of single-organ vasculitis limited to the skin. Careful evaluation is necessary to distinguish these possibilities, differentiate skin-limited from systemic disease, and identify important underlying conditions, if present. Appropriate management depends on disease type and severity. In the case of cutaneous small vessel vasculitis (CSVV), treatment is primarily based on case reports and expert opinion, using a range of immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive therapies. This manuscript presents a systematic and stepwise approach to the evaluation of patients presenting with cutaneous vasculitis, as well as the management of those diagnosed with CSVV, using best available evidence. Studies relevant to the classification, evaluation, and management of skin vasculitis are ongoing.

Automated summary

Cutaneous vasculitis can be a manifestation of systemic vasculitis, a variant of systemic vasculitis limited to the skin, or a type of vasculitis limited to the skin only. Careful evaluation is required to differentiate these possibilities and identify underlying conditions. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease.