John Libbey Eurotext




Cutaneous ulcers with type I cryoglobulinemia treated with plasmapheresis
European Journal of Dermatology. Volume 14, Number 3, 186-9, May - June 2004, Clinical report
Free Article
Author(s) : A.T. VILA, M.A. BARNADAS, J. BALLARÍN, R. GARCÍA, C. JUAREZ, P. MADOZ, E. RAMILA, A. ALOMAR
Summary : Severe necrotic cutaneous ulcers and kidney involvement secondary to type I cryoglobulinemia can be a therapeutic challenge. Plasmapheresis has been reported useful to treat autoimmune diseases such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis and Goodpasture’s syndrome. We report the case of a patient who presented necrotic lesions with kidney involvement due to type I cryoglobulinemia (Ig G κ) that evolved to a multiple myeloma. Treatment with high doses of corticosteroid plus cyclophosphamide did not control the disorder. Therapy with plasmapheresis produced a marked decrease in cryoglobulin levels and a subsequent relevant clinical improvement of cutaneous lesions and renal function. In cryoglobulinemia, plasmapheresis can be used as effective adjunt therapy to minimize cutaneous, renal and\\or neurologic involvement.
Keywords : Cryoglobulinemia, plasmapheresis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, renal failure

Cutaneous ulcers with type I cryoglobulinemia treated with plasmapheresis