Review of Dermatological Manifestations in Interstitial Lung Disease: Spotlight on Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of pulmonary conditions with inflammation and fibrosis of lung tissue, causing progressive dyspnea and impaired gas exchange. Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is one of the most prevalent patterns in ILD. This is the report of a 79-year-old male with a marked history of chronic cough, which was initially misdiagnosed as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but subsequently recognized as having UIP. During the course of treatment with nintedanib, he had painful cutaneous lesions that were diagnosed as leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) confirmed by histopathological examination. The development of LCV in such a setting emphasizes the need for awareness of dermatological manifestations seen in ILD, since failure to diagnose this can result in inappropriate treatment and poor outcomes. Interplay of ILD, cutaneous complications, and underlying conditions like diabetes mellitus can complicate the clinical presentation, and hence, immediate intervention becomes all the more important for successful management. This case highlights the importance of increased awareness among clinicians for the risk of dermatologic complications in ILD patients and the importance of a multidisciplinary care approach.
Authors: V. Mohan, M. Manimegalai
Institution: Billroth Hospitals
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411298371