Sneddon's syndrome (livedo racemosa and cerebral infarction) presenting psychiatric disturbance and shortening of fingers and toes

Intern Med. 1996 Aug;35(8):668-73. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.35.668.

Abstract

A 24-year-old man with livedo racemosa and psychiatric disturbances, manifesting as low intelligence (IQ 80) and delusions, had anti-cardiolipin antibody and showed shortening of the fingers and toes. A skin biopsy of the livedo lesion revealed endoarteritis obliterans, being compatible with Sneddon's syndrome. MRI of the brain demonstrated multiple infarction and moderate cortical atrophy. A single photon emission tomography of the brain showed a marked reduction of the blood flow in the front-temporal lobe. These findings might relate to the psychiatric disturbance. After intravenous administration of cyclophosphamide and the start of oral prednisolone, the anti-cardiolipin antibody level decreased and his physical condition improved. However, a low dose of haloperidol is still necessary to maintain his mental condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / blood
  • Brain / pathology
  • Delusions
  • Fingers / pathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Skin / pathology
  • Sneddon Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sneddon Syndrome / pathology
  • Sneddon Syndrome / psychology
  • Toes / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anticardiolipin