Plasmapheresis for Refractory Urticarial Vasculitis in a Patient with B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
June 2006 | Volume 5 | Issue 6 | Case Reports | 534 | Copyright © June 2006
Jessica L. Alexander MD, Amer N. Kalaaji MD, James M. Shehan MD, Benjamin K. Yokel MD, Mark R. Pittelkow MD
Mehods: We report a case of refractory urticarial vasulitis developing in association with B-cell chronic lymphocytic lukemia in a 46- year-old man. We also reviewed the literature to identify other cases of urticarial vasculitis managed with this therapeutic modality.
Results: The diesease progressively improved during 6 treatments with palsmapheresis (plasma exchange). In additional cases indentified in the literatrue, plasmaphersis was generally effective and well tolerated.
Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, we propose that plasmapheresis be considered a treatment option for refractory urticarial vasculitis.