Livedoid vasculopathy: an intringuing cutaneous disease

An Bras Dermatol. 2011 Sep-Oct;86(5):961-77. doi: 10.1590/s0365-05962011000500015.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Livedoid vasculopathy is a skin disease that occludes the blood vessels of the dermis. It has a pauciinflammatory or non-inflammatory nature. It is characterized by the presence of macular or papular, erythematous-purpuric lesions affecting the legs, especially the ankles and feet, and producing intensely painful ulcerations, which cause white atrophic scars called "atrophie blanche". This review includes studies and case reports found in the medical literature regarding the etiopathogenic associations of the disease, particularly those related to thrombophilia, their histopathological findings and the therapeutic approaches used in the difficult clinical management of these cases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Leg Ulcer* / drug therapy
  • Leg Ulcer* / etiology
  • Leg Ulcer* / pathology
  • Livedo Reticularis* / drug therapy
  • Livedo Reticularis* / etiology
  • Livedo Reticularis* / pathology
  • Risk Factors