What is palpable purpura?

• Palpable purpura results from inflammation of small cutaneous vessels (vasculitis) • Vessel inflammation results in vessel wall damage and in extravasation of erythrocytes seen as purpura on the skin • Vasculitis may occur as a primary process or may be secondary to another underlying disease • Palpable purpura is the hallmark lesion of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (small vessel vasculitis)