Medium-sized arterial vasculitis associated with vascular deposits of immunoglobin E.: Favorable response to intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide

Herein we describe the case of a female patient with medium-sized arterial vasculitis associated with high serum immunoglobin E (IgE) levels in the absence of eosinophilia. During occlusive vascular events, IgE deposits in the arterial muscle layer were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, suggesting a pathogenic role of this antibody in blood vessel inflammation. Combined treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was successful in reducing serum I-E levels and IgE tissue deposits and in inducing the clinical manifestations of vasculitis into remission. This primary medium-sized IgE-associated vasculitis may constitute a new syndrome not previously reported. (C) 2002 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.