Cutaneous changes: an initial manifestation of pulmonary Wegener's granulomatosis.

Cutaneous vasculitis can occur as an isolated dermatologic disorder or as manifestation of a potentially life-threatening systemic vasculitis such as Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). The aim of the study was to characterize cutaneous lesions in 66 WG patients (30 female, 36 male) and to assess the viability of skin biopsy the diagnosis of WG. Skin involvement was observed in 21 (32%) WG patients; in 14 (21%) patients as an initial manifestation and in other seven during the diagnosis establishment. Cutaneous lesions included palpable purpura(n=10), subcutaneous nodules(=4), hemorrhagic bullae (n=3), ulcers (n=2), pustules (n=1), pyoderma gangrenosum (n =1). The patient with pulmonary WG can present initially with cutaneous symptoms and positive PR3-ANCA serologic test results. Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) was the predominant histopathologic pattern.