Henoch-Schönlein purpura other diagnostic studies

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Henoch-Schönlein purpura is diagnosed using a biopsy of the skin and kidney.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Skin biopsy

Light Microscopy
- IgA deposition in postcapillary venules with IgA deposition and leukocytoclastic vasculitis in is a pathognomonic microscopic feature of Henoch-Schönlein Purpura.
- Skin lesions less than 24 hrs are preferred as the chronic lesion lack the immunoglobulin isotypes essential for the diagnosis of HSP.
- A biopsy from a different skin site is taken for the immunofluorescent studies to confirm the diagnosis.

Renal biopsy

IgA deposition in the mesangium on immunofluorescence microscopy should be differentiated from the IgA nephropathy.
Light microscopic features range from isolated mesangial proliferation to severe crescentic glomerulonephritis.

References

↑ Jennette JC, Falk RJ (November 1997). “Small-vessel vasculitis”. N. Engl. J. Med. 337 (21): 1512–23. doi:10.1056/NEJM199711203372106. PMID 9366584.
↑ Chen JY, Mao JH (February 2015). “Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in children: incidence, pathogenesis and management”. World J Pediatr. 11 (1): 29–34. doi:10.1007/s12519-014-0534-5. PMID 25557596.
↑ Kawasaki Y, Ono A, Ohara S, Suzuki Y, Suyama K, Suzuki J, Hosoya M (2013). “Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis in childhood: pathogenesis, prognostic factors and treatment”. Fukushima J Med Sci. 59 (1): 15–26. PMID 23842510.

Overview