Abstract
We report 2 cases of vasculitis syndrome in which skin ulcers were the first symptom of the disease. The first patient was a 52-year-old woman with broad skin ulcers on the both lower legs. The pulse was detectable at the popliteal arteries, but not at her right toes. We diagnosed periarticular nodosa and started steroid-pulse therapy and administration of immunosuppressive drugs. After therapy, the skin ulcers improved dramatically. The second patient was a 79-year-old man with swelling and a skin ulcer on the left foot. Because ischemic necrosis worsened,we performed lower leg amputation. Since we diagnosed vasculitis syndrome, we started steroid-pulse therapy. Thereafter, the skin lesions improved. Although these 2 cases did not meet the criteria for vasculitis syndrome,the effect of steroid-therapy supported our diagnosis. It is considered that vasculitis syndrome should be considered and treated in cases of skin disease without apparent cause.
