Livedoid Vasculopathy

Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare vasculopathy typically characterized by bilateral lower limb lesions. The condition is believed to be caused by thrombus formation in the capillary vasculature due to increased thrombotic activity, decreased fibrinolytic activity, and endothelial damage.

Livedoid vasculopathy is 3 times more common in females than in males, especially in patients aged 15 to 50 years. Management involves identifying the lesion and differentiating it from other lower limb lesions, along with a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

There is no definitive first-line treatment, but general measures such as smoking cessation, wound care, and pharmacological measures like anticoagulants and antiplatelets have shown good results. Several newer and experimental therapies have shown promising results in resistant cases.

In the past, livedoid vasculopathy has also been referred to as livedo vasculitis, livedoid vasculitis, and livedo reticularis with summer ulceration.