Recurrent vasculitis in cystic fibrosis

A 22-year-old man presented with recurrent palpable purpuric rash. His clubbing relates to underlying cystic fibrosis (CF) and his rash was identified as CF-related vasculitis, a rare extrapulmonary manifestation of the disease. It occurs predominantly on the lower limbs, mainly over the dorsa of the feet, ankles and tibial surfaces. The rash occurred while the patient had an infective exacerbation of CF (IECF), however, there had also been previous occurrences without worsening of his pulmonary symptoms, to which the rash remitted spontaneously. The patient responded well to immunosuppression, which was given on this admission due to worsening of his CF-related vasculitis. He died 18 months within the onset of his initial rash.