Cryoglobulinemia - DermAtlas - Dermatology Image Atlas

Contributor

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

Diagnosis

cryoglobulinemia

Body Site

leg

Age

36 years

Pigmentation

dark

Organization

scattered

Color

purple

Morphology

papule

Pattern

symmetric

Comments

This young patient has hepatitis C and developed palpable purpura on his lower extremities. He is hypergammaglobulinemic. Histologically, he has leukocytoclastic vasculitis. These findings are consistent with type II cryoglobulinemia. This type often shows on immunofixation electrophoresis assays to have both a monoclonal and polyclonal component to their gammaglobulins.

Description

This biopsy shows massive purpura and leukocytoclasia throughout the interstitium. The overlying epidermis appears in its early stages of breaking down.

Image Added

2/7/2007 21:50:27

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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