Friday, 24 December 2010

Livedo reticularis

- Marble-patterned cyanosis of the skin.
- Due to reduced arteriolar flow.
- Usually in women.

Causes:
  • Physiological, i.e. cold-induced. Revesible.
  • Vasculitis, e.g. SLE, PAN.
  • Hyperviscosity due to cryoglobulinaemia or polycythaemia.
  • Sneddon syndrome - livedo reticularis with cerebrovascular disease and circulating antiphosphlipid antibodies.
Treatment is aimed at the underlying disease.

No comments:

Post a Comment