Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete
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When making therapeutic decisions, doctors often find themselves faced with a dilemma regarding ethical, professional, legal liability, social and service aspects of their duties. These conflicts may be enhanced when medications have to be prescribed for non-approved usages, known as off-label prescribing, because existing therapy options have been exhausted. ⋯ In order to clarify the basis for taking decisions in a given situation, an oncology expert commission has been formed under the coordination of the Department of Health and Social Security. However, this is no solution for the great variety of uncommon dermatological diseases which often require off-label medication usage.
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Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LcV) is the most common form of cutaneous vasculitis. Often LcV results from deposition of immune complexes in the vascular wall. When IgA is the dominant immunoglobulin in these complexes, systemic involvement is likely (Henoch-Schönlein purpura), being more severe in adults. ⋯ Corticosteroids are indicated at initial signs of necrosis or ulceration. Chronic recurrent LcV may respond to dapsone or colchicine. Severe systemic vasculitis requires immunosuppressive therapy.