Neutrophilic urticaria

Eight patients with neutrophilic urticaria were identified in a 5-year biopsy experience (1980-1984). All patients had a neutrophilic venulitis without fibrinoid necrosis, hemorrhage, or leukocytoclasia. Four patients had a history of angioedema, and two had a personal history of atopic disease. Results of laboratory studies, including complement and protein values and antibody serologic tests, were normal. All patients responded to antihistamine agents. Despite occasional clinical or histologic diagnoses of vasculitis for such cases in the past, the clinical, laboratory, and histologic features and the therapeutic course of these patients are compatible with a phase or type of chronic urticaria.