Patients with vasculitis learn that making the diagnosis is sometimes quite difficult. Many endure numerous doctors' visits, tests, and hospitalizations before the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. No physician should prescribe such treatment without making every effort to secure a firm diagnosis. The trick to diagnosing vasculitis is to figure out the least invasive method of accomplishing this task.
Skin biopsy The least invasive way of making the diagnosis.
A minor procedure with local anesthesia. Skin biopsy showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The white oval shapes are subcutaneous fat cells beneath the dermis. Click image to enlarge. This is an example of an inadequate skin biopsy.