Livedo reticularis and massive thoracoabdominal aneurysm.
Cholesterol crystal embolization arising from an atheromatous aortic aneurysm is a potentially treatable condition. We report a 55-year old man with a sudden onset of painful livedo reticularis of the buttocks and lower limbs secondary to a massive thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, discovered incidentally when the patient underwent a liver ultrasound test. The diagnosis of cholesterol crystal embolization of the skin requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. Abdominal ultrasound should be considered in the routine assessment of lower limb livedo reticularis.
St John's Institute of Dermatology, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
H C
HC
Williams
A C
AC
Pembroke
D000208:Acute Disease; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications*; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000150:complications*; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*