Cutaneous vasculitis: its relationship to systemic disease.

Necrotizing vasculitis may be localized to the skin or may involve multiple organs. Although the etiology of cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis is unknown, evidence suggests that circulating immune complexes play an important role. The most common clinical lesion seen is palpable purpura, which histologically demonstrates leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The majority of patients affected with cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis have a benign course.