Essential cryofibrinogenaemia, leukocytoclastic vasculitis and chronic purpura.

Cryofibrinogenaemia refers to the presence of cold-precipitable proteins in plasma but not in serum. It is usually associated with malignancy, thromboembolic diseases or various inflammatory processes; rarely it may be essential. The most common clinical presentations of cryofibrinogenaemia are cold-intolerance, purpura, skin necrosis and ulcers. We describe a middle-aged woman with essential cryofibrinogenaemia, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, and chronic purpura for over 25 years with several exacerbations. In patients with otherwise unexplained purpura or skin necrosis, determination of plasma cryofibrinogen should be considered.