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Case Reports
. 2009 Dec;36(12):1269-74.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2009.01272.x.

Macular lymphocytic arteritis: a unique benign cutaneous arteritis, mediated by lymphocytes and appearing as macules

Zenus Saleh  1 , Diya F Mutasim
Affiliations
Case Reports

Macular lymphocytic arteritis: a unique benign cutaneous arteritis, mediated by lymphocytes and appearing as macules

Zenus Saleh et al. J Cutan Pathol. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Macular arteritis (MA) is a term coined for a cutaneous vasculitis that manifests as multiple macules that favor the lower extremities and that reveal lymphocytic inflammation of an artery in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat.

Methods: We describe the demographic, clinical, histologic, and laboratory findings in three new cases and review seven previously reported cases of MA, and discuss the nosology of MA.

Results: MA affects predominantly females (70% or 7/10) and individuals of African-American race (50%). Eight patients had hyperpigmented patches, one had hypopigmented macules, and one had erythematous macules. The lower extremities were involved in 100% of cases, followed by the upper extremities (44%). Light microscopic changes are those of a medium-vessel lymphocytic arteritis. Investigations for possible causes are non-revealing.

Conclusion: We conclude that MA is a primary idiopathic cutaneous lymphocytic arteritis that is limited to the skin.

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Comment in

  • Macular lymphocytic arteritis.
    Kossard S, Lee JS, McGrath MA. Kossard S, et al. J Cutan Pathol. 2010 Oct;37(10):1114-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2010.01543.x. Epub 2010 Mar 23. J Cutan Pathol. 2010. PMID: 20345825 No abstract available.
  • Erythematous and Hyperpigmented Macules on the Feet.
    Barrutia-Borque A, Acebo E, Gardeazabal-García J. Barrutia-Borque A, et al. Am J Dermatopathol. 2016 Dec;38(12):932-933. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000399. Am J Dermatopathol. 2016. PMID: 27870732 No abstract available.

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