title: Leg ulcers in antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite encouraging reports on the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in antiphospholipid syndrome, the clinical value of this treatment is not well established, and most of the data are based on case reports and small series of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the significant improvement of leg ulcers with IVIg in a 61-year-old female, with diabetes mellitus, venous peripherical insufficiency and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome to systemic lupus erythematosus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case illustrates a rare cause of leg ulcers and documents that IVIg may be an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of selected patients with antiphospholipid syndrome when conventional strategies using subcutaneous heparin and low-dose aspirin are insufficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital Santo António dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Portugal;
authors.forename: Guida
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital Santo António dos Capuchos, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Portugal;
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: João
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Hospital São Bernardo, Setúbal, Portugal.
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sousa
keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome; intravenous immunoglobulin; lupus; ulcer