Clinical Features:

• Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate reversibly at cold temperatures.
• They are associated with a number of neoplastic, autoimmune and infectious conditions, the most common of which is hepatitis C.
• A variety of systemic and cutaneous manifestations may be present as a result of thrombi formed by the precipitated cryoglobulins.
• Cutaneous lesions may include palpable purpura, urticaria-like lesions, livedo reticularis, Raynaud's phenomenon, acrocyanosis, gangrene and ulceration.

Histologic Features:

• Thrombus-like, pink, cracked material occluding dermal blood vessels and passing into the vessel walls.
• The material stains positive with PAS.
• Erythrocyte extravasation
• Vasculitis is often present in mixed cryoglobulinemia (types II and III), but is typically not present in type I cyroglobulinemia.

Cases associated with this book:

Cryoglobulinemia
Author: Artur Zembowicz M.D. Ph.D.

Conference: Dermpedia Teaching Collection