leukocytoclastic vasculitis

leu·ko·cy·to·clas·tic vasculitis (lk-st-klstk)

n.

Acute cutaneous vasculitis that is characterized by purpura, especially of the legs, and by exudation of neutrophils and sometimes fibrin around dermal venules, with extravasation of red blood cells.

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leukocytoclastic vasculitis

[lo̅o̅′kəsī′təklas′tik]

an allergic inflammation of blood vessels, characterized by deposits of fragmented cells, nuclear dust, necrotic debris, and fibrin staining in the vessels. Many patients develop skin lesions, particularly on the legs, accompanied by arthralgia and fever. The disorder is seen in rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

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leukocytoclastic vasculitis

see hypersensitivity angiitis.

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leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis A form of vasculitis with fragmentation of neutrophil nuclei, immune complex deposition–direct immunofluorescence demonstrates IgG, IgM and complement deposition, that elicits neutrophilic 'suicide' and deposition of abundant nuclear 'dust', necrotic debris and fibrin, most common in small post-capillary venules; the condition may be local–eg, cutaneous or systemic. See Vasculitis.