Petechia, Purpura, and Vasculitis

Question 1

What is purpura?

Answer 1

Non-blanchable, pink/purple, macules/patches or papules caused by blood in skin

Question 2

Causes of purpura

Answer 2

Coagulation defect, leaky vessels, trauma

Question 3

Macular non-palpable purpura

Answer 3

Non-inflammatory

Question 4

Palpable purpura

Answer 4

Inflammatory

Question 5

Petechia

Answer 5

Small, red dots; painless

Question 6

Causes of petechia

Answer 6

Platelet related: low platelet, or dysfuntion; non-platelet related: capillary fragility

Question 7

Ecchymosis

Answer 7

Larger purpura, may be painful

Question 8

Causes of ecchymosis

Answer 8

Abnormalities in coagulation

Question 9

Small/medium vasculitis

Answer 9

Churg-Strauss, microscopic polyangiitis, Wegner’s granulomatosis, cryoglobulinemic vasculitis

Question 10

Skin lesions and vessel involved

Answer 10

Small vessel - blisters; medium - nodules, purpura, ulcers; large - doesn’t affect skin

Question 11

Scariest form of purpura

Answer 11

Retiform purpura

Question 12

Pathology of retiform purpura

Answer 12

Net like purpura

Question 13

Etiology of retiform purpura

Answer 13

Coagulation defects, infection

Question 14

Complication of retiform purpura

Answer 14

Meningococcemia