Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis of the Foot and Ankle: A Case Report With Over Five-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

The estimated incidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis of any etiology is between 15 and 30 people per million per year. Despite being a rare pathologic entity, leukocytoclastic vasculitis has many documented etiologies. Here, we report on a case of a 47-year-old man with liver cirrhosis who was admitted to our institution for diffuse palpable purpura of the distal lower extremities. Workup was largely negative for infectious and systemic causes. The patient received multiple days of intravenous antibiotics and consultations with infectious disease, dermatology, and podiatry. Skin biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of idiopathic leukocytoclastic vasculitis. A steroid taper was prescribed, and the patient had clinical resolution and healing of skin lesions. After 5.5 years after the vasculitic episode, the patient remained free of cutaneous lower extremity lesions. Medication-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis and associations with systemic illness or malignancy were ruled out. In the lower extremities, misdiagnosis of cellulitis for noninfectious dermatologic conditions is common. Clinicians must have a wide differential and take a multidisciplinary approach to similar types of cases to reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage.