INFO ON CAPILLARITIS?

My niece has had a rash all over her body that almost appears to be bruising....hyperpigmentation, sort of blotchy-like. She saw two pediatricians who had never seen the rash before so she finally saw a pediatric dermatologist.  She will be doing a skin biopsky to rule out lymphoma but states she believes it's capillaritis. Any information you can give me about this disease would be helpful.  Thank you!!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Karen:

Capillaritis is a generic term which refers to tiny red mark which come from breaking of capillaries.  This is a symptom, not a disease, and if present, will have to be correlated with internal issues, if there are any.  In adults, I often see capillaritis on the legs, where it produces brownish pigmentation but little else.  Whether it is associated with anything systemic--lymphoma for instance--will depend on overall evaluation, including physical examination and blood work, plus the biopsy.

My advice to you is the same as it always is: call the doctor who is actually doing the evaluation.  Ask him or her what's being looked for and when you'll know what there is to be known.  Then discuss the implications.  In your case, these implications may indeed be threatening but needn't be--dozens of biopsies looking for blood vessel changes asscoiated with lymphoma turn out to be negatibe for every one that's even remotely relevant.

So be patient (biopsies take a few days to process) but ask!

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff