Article information
Abstract
The term livedo reticularis refers to a reddish-violet reticular discoloration of the skin that mainly affects the limbs. It is caused by an interruption of blood flow in the dermal arteries, either due to spasm, inflammation, or vascular obstruction, and is associated with diseases of varying etiology and severity. To establish the cause of livedo reticularis, it is essential to determine its course (chronic, acute, or fulminant), the presence of other cutaneous signs such as nodules, retiform purpura or necrosis, and the possible association of general symptoms or laboratory findings that suggest a particular systemic process. The aim of this review is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Key words:
livedo reticularis
retiform purpura
livedo racemosa
vasculitis
cholesterol emboli
calciphylaxis
antiphospholipid antibodies
Resumen
El término livedo reticularis describe un retículo cutáneo de coloración rojo-violácea que afecta preferentemente a las extremidades. Su origen es la interrupción del flujo sanguíneo en las arteriolas dérmicas, ya sea por espasmo, inflamación u obstrucción intravascular, y se asocia a entidades de diversa etiología y gravedad. Para establecer la causa de una livedo reticularis es fundamental conocer la evolución del cuadro (si la livedo reticularis es o bien crónica o bien aguda o fulminante), la presencia de otros signos cutáneos, como nódulos, púrpura retiforme o necrosis, y la posible asociación con síntomas generales y/o datos analíticos que apunten hacia un determinado proceso sistémico. El objetivo de esta revisión es proporcionar un método diagnóstico y terapéutico para el abordaje de la livedo reticularis.
Palabras clave:
livedo reticularis
púrpura retiforme
livedo racemosa
vasculitis
émbolos de colesterol
calcifilaxia
síndrome antifosfolípido
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