Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) poses a significant diagnostic challenge due to its varied clinical presentation. Here, we present a case of a 59-year-old female with a history of asthma and sinusitis, who manifested with an extremely rare presentation of drastic tense blisters and hemorrhagic bullae alongside purpuric lesions and peripheral neuropathy. Examinations revealed eosinophilia, positive anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, and characteristic pathological findings with small vessel vasculitis in the purpura. Treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide led to rapid improvement in peripheral eosinophilia, skin manifestations and motor neuron deficits. Although rare, our case underscores that bullous skin lesions should be recognized as a potential cutaneous hallmark of EGPA to aid timely diagnosis, since prompt treatment initiation is crucial given the potential irreversible organ damage and poor prognosis of EGPA.
Keywords: anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; hemorrhagic bullae; skin rash; tense blisters.
© Japan College of Rheumatology 2024. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [email protected] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site–for further information please contact [email protected].