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Livedo Reticularis

definition

Bluish-red discolouration of the skin with a characteristic network pattern occurring chiefly on the trunk, legs and forearms. It is accentuated by exposure to cold but usually persists even when the skin is rewarmed. The colour change is due to dilatation of, and stagnation within, the capillaries and minute venules in the affected areas. There is a great diversity of causes leading to diversity of clinical manifestation. Idiopathic livedo reticularis occurring predominantly in young adults and middle-aged females may be associated with ulceration of the leg in a minority of cases. Livedo reticularis may represent an early sign of a systemic disease, such as rheumatoid arteritis, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, cryoglobulinemia. In Sneddon's syndrome, it is associated with widespread evidence of arterial disease involving cerebral, ocular, coronary and peripheral arteries.

synonyms

Livedo Reticularis, Vasculitis Racemosa

UMLS

ASPHYXIA RETICULARIS, LIVEDO ANNULARIS, Livedo racemosa, Livedo Reticularis, Livedo reticularis without ulceration, Livedo reticularis, NOS