Primary vasculitides and vasculitis confined to skin: clinical features and new pathogenic aspects

Cutaneous vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of disorders, and may occur with virtually all syndromes of vasculitis. It can occur as an isolated dermatologic disorder or as a manifestation of a potentially life-threatening systemic vasculitis, Cutaneous manifestations vary depending on the underlying cause, the size of the vessel involved and the severity and type of inflammation. In this short review, the classification, the characteristic skin manifestations of the primary vasculitides and new pathogenic aspects are discussed.