Cutaneous manifestations of Churg-Strauss syndrome: a clinicopathologic correlation

Allergic granulomatosis of Churg-Strauss (Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a distinct clinical disease of multisystem vasculitis.

We characterize the clinical and histologic features of cutaneous findings in Churg-Strauss syndrome.

All patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome seen between 1976 and 1995 were retrospectively reviewed.

Ninety patients with the diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome were identified; 36 (40%) had cutaneous findings. Five patients (6%) had skin lesions as the initial manifestation. The most frequent cutaneous findings were purpura and petechiae on the lower extremities and cutaneous nodules and papules on the elbows. In 37 biopsy specimens from 29 patients, the most common findings were extravascular necrotizing granuloma (15 specimens) and leukocytoclastic vasculitis (16 specimens).

Cutaneous lesions in Churg-Strauss syndrome are common. Their characteristic clinical and histologic pattern may help establish the diagnosis.