Livedoid vasculopathy as a coagulation disorder

Livedoid vasculopathy is an occlusive cutaneous disease of the dermal vessels with pauci-inflammatory or non-inflammatory histopathology findings. It is characterized by the presence of macules or papules, erythemato-purpuric lesions located on the legs, especially on the ankles and feet, which produce ulcerations that are intensely painful and originate ivory atrophic scars called atrophie blanche. In this review article, studies on LV from the literature are analyzed, and their etiopathogenic associations, particularly those related to the thrombophilic states, as well as the pathologic findings and therapeutic approaches applied in the difficult clinical management of these cases, are evaluated. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.