Carbimazole-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis: a case report.

Introduction. - The authors describe the case of biopsy-proven cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis secondary to treatment with carbimazole. Exegesis. - A 78-year-old white female developed erythematous macules on the lower limbs which cleared after discontinuation of her current treatment and implementation or oral steroid therapy. Causal explorations (lack of systemic disorder or infectious disease) remain negative, except for positive immune complexes. This case clearly differs from the two cases of microvasculitis (myositis and nephritis) secondary to treatment with carbimazole previously mentioned in the literature. Conclusion. - To our knowledge this is the first report of biopsy-proven cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with this antithyroid agent. Its widespread use makes awareness of the side-effect important. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.