Abstract
Thirty-three patients (four men and 29 women) with livedo lesions were evaluated in our department from July of 1997 to August of 2004. Mean onset age was 42.6 years (range 14–87 years). Lesions were located on the legs in 21 patients, feet in 15 patients, forearms in 10 patients, and thighs in 8 patients. All of the skin lesions showed incomplete networks, having branched, wedge-shape, linear, or round configurations. The histopathological findings classified the lesions into two main categories: vasculitis or thrombotic vasculopathy. Although livedo lesions are generally found on the legs, we found lesions associated with rheumatic arthritis on the upper extremities and trunks as well, while those with cholesterol crystal embolization and antiphospholipid syndrome were distributed on the legs and feet. The clinical diagnoses of livedo lesions associated with rheumatic arthritis, some collagen diseases, and cholesterol crystal embolization were relatively easy. We believe a livedo lesion can be a symptom of a core disease, and thus histopathological, blood, or a comprehensive physical examination to confirm the core disease is important.
