title: Cerebrovascular lesions and livedo reticularis (Sneddon's syndrome)--a progressive cerebrovascular disorder?
abstract: Four cases are described in which livedo reticularis was associated with repeated cerebrovascular accidents, which eventually resulted in severe disability in two cases. Patients with severe disability had a history of many years, whereas two patients with little or moderate residual disability had a follow-up of 3 years each. CT scan revealed multifocal cerebral infarctions and cortical atrophy in all cases. Repeated cerebral angiograms, done in three cases, showed no signs of a vascular disease. There were no parameters that pointed to active immunological or inflammatory disorder. Neither clinical evidence of heart or large vessel disease was found. Observations suggest that a so-far unknown progressive cerebral vessel disease associated with livedo is the cause of a steady increase in multiple small cerebral infarctions. Because of the progressive character of the disease the search for effective therapy is needed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology