Cryoglobulinemia - DermAtlas - Dermatology Image Atlas

Contributor

Greg Hosler, MD, PhD

Diagnosis

cryoglobulinemia

Body Site

leg

Age

55 years

Pigmentation

dark

Organization

scattered

Color

purple

Morphology

papule

Pattern

acral (centripetal - extremity predominant)

Comments

This is a good example of type I cryoglobulinemia. This patient had a monoclonal gammopathy from lymphoma. Histologicallly, there is occlusion of vessels without vasculitis. The occlusive material is PAS positive (not shown) and represents immunoglobulin precipitates. Due to the laboratory requirements on specimen handling, cryoglobulinemia can be a difficult diagnosis to make, and therefore getting a biopsy like this is met with relief.

Description

Within the lumen of the vessels there is abundant pick amorphous material. Morphologically, this material is too bright and glassy for fibrin. An inflammatory infiltrate is minimal.

Image Added

2/7/2007 21:50:25

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Other Resources

PubMed Medline Plus Medscape

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