Livedoid vasculopathy
| Livedoid vasculopathy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Livedoid vasculitis, Livedo reticularis with summer/winter ulceration , Segmental hyalinizing vasculitis. |
| Livedoid Vasculopathy ulcer at the ankle. | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Livedoid changes, atrophie blanche, and uclers. |
| Risk factors | Antiphospholipid antibodies, thrombosis-predisposing genetic disorders, and paraproteinemias. |
| Diagnostic method | Histopathology. |
| Differential diagnosis | Chronic venous disease, peripheral vascular disease, and vasculitis. |
| Treatment | Pain management, wound care, smoking cessation, compression, antiplatelet agent, and anticoagulants. |
| Frequency | 1 in 1,00,000 per year. |
Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is an uncommon thrombotic dermal vasculopathy that is characterized by excruciating, recurrent ulcers on the lower limbs. Livedo racemosa, along with painful ulceration in the distal regions of the lower extremities, is the characteristic clinical appearance. It heals to form porcelain-white, atrophic scars, also known as Atrophie blanche.
Livedoid vasculopathy has been linked to various conditions that can induce hypercoagulability, including neoplasms, autoimmune connective-tissue diseases, and inherited and acquired thrombophilias.
The history, clinical findings, and histopathological analysis are combined to make the diagnosis.
Prompt and suitable intervention mitigates discomfort and averts the formation of wounds and additional complications. In addition to general supportive measures, anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications can be considered the first-line treatments.