Indications and limitations of histopathological skin investigation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children.

Unlabelled: Henoch-Schönlein purpura, the most common primary vasculitis of the child, may cause, in some cases with atypical clinical picture, diagnostic difficulties with a significant prognosis impact, especially when occasionally "silent" renal symptoms coexist. The purpose of our study is, on one hand, to determine the histopathological investigation needs of Henoch-Schönlein purpura in children with atypical cutaneous manifestations or incomplete forms of illness and, on the other hand, to point out the correlation between the cutaneous histopathological aspects and other clinical and biological manifestations.

Results: Optical microscopy revealed signs of leukocytoclastic vasculitis in 11 of the 22 cases with ulcerative necrotic purpura and atypical clinical picture.