Background: Macular arteritis (MA) is a term coined for a cutaneous vasculitis that manifests as multiple macules that favor the lower extremities and that reveal lymphocytic inflammation of an artery in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat.
Methods: We describe the demographic, clinical, histologic, and laboratory findings in three new cases and review seven previously reported cases of MA, and discuss the nosology of MA.
Results: MA affects predominantly females (70% or 7/10) and individuals of African-American race (50%). Eight patients had hyperpigmented patches, one had hypopigmented macules, and one had erythematous macules. The lower extremities were involved in 100% of cases, followed by the upper extremities (44%). Light microscopic changes are those of a medium-vessel lymphocytic arteritis. Investigations for possible causes are non-revealing.
Conclusion: We conclude that MA is a primary idiopathic cutaneous lymphocytic arteritis that is limited to the skin.