LEUKOCYTOCLASTIC VASCULITIS IN SUBACUTE CUTANEOUS LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS- CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 3 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Background: Leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with subacute cutan eous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) was observed by Sontheimer et al. in t heir first clinical series of patients with SCLE, although recent repo rts have suggested that its frequency was rare. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis (CLV) in pati ents with SCLE and to describe the clinicopathologic manifestations, r esponse to treatment and prognosis of this subgroup of patients, Metho ds: We reviewed all cases of SCLE seen at the Hospital de la Princesa from 1980 to 1995, Results: Three (9%) of our 27 patients with SCLE ex hibited CLV and SCLE, Purpura, maculoerythematous lesions, urticaria, nodules and necrotic lesions on the leg, trunk and palmoplantar region s were present in our patients with CLV and SCLE. Histologically, SCLE -associated CLV was a small-sized vessel leukocytoclastic vasculitis w ith intravascular thrombosis in the deep dermis and coexistence of les ions of CLV and SCLE. Conclusion: In our patients, CLV was self-limite d and not associated with a worsened prognosis, with only cutaneous in volvement in their further relapses of SCLE.