title: Widespread livedoid vasculopathy.
abstract: A 37-year-old woman with a 13-year history of widespread livedo reticularis and recurrent, painful ulcerative skin lesions was referred to our department because of a relapse of cutaneous manifestations of the skin lesions involving almost the whole body surface; malar erythema and oedema, non-scarring alopecia and fever were also associated. Routine laboratory data, immunological investigations and coagulation parameters were normal or negative. Histology was consistent with livedoid vasculopathy. A good clinical response was obtained using intravenous methylprednisolone combined with pentoxifylline. Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare, distinctive dermatosis that can be associated with systemic autoimmune disorders or present in an "idiopathic" form. The latter is at present regarded as a non-inflammatory thrombotic disease that may occur in patients with coagulation abnormalities. It is noteworthy that, in the present case, despite long-standing and dramatic cutaneous features, serious systemic complications have not developed and the patient's seroimmunologic and coagulative profile has remained normal.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatological Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Marzano
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanotti
authors.forename: Elvio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alessi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010808:Physical Examination; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010431:Pentoxifylline; D008775:Methylprednisolone