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Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardConnective Tissue & VasculitisLeukocytoclastic VasculitisSCE Dermatology

A patient has crops of palpable purpura of different ages. Which biopsy strategy gives the best chance of defining both morphology and immune deposition?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Biopsy a fresh lesion for histology and a newer lesion for DIF

For cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis, a sufficiently deep biopsy of a fresh active lesion provides the best histology, while a second very recent lesion is preferred for direct immunofluorescence before immune deposits fade. The DIF specimen must not be placed in formalin.

Reference: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/pages/bad-guidelines