livedoid vasculitis

Purpuric lesions & livedo reticularis found in association with painful ulcerations of the lower extremities. The ulcers are slow to heal & form irregularly-shaped white scars (atrophie blanche) when they do. Etiology: 1) majority of cases are idiopathic 2) systemic lupus erythematosus 3) antiphospholipid syndrome 4) scleroderma 5) cryoglobulinemia 6) cryofibrinogenemia Pathology: - combination of vasculopathy (phlebitis) with thrombosis (thrombophlebitis)

General

cutaneous ulcer vasculitis

References

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 307