Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Livedo Reticularis

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Skin Manifestations in Rheumatic Disease

  • 2162 Accesses

Abstract

Livedo reticularis (LR) is a common physical finding consisting of a mottled, reticulated vascular pattern resulting from alterations in blood flow through the cutaneous microvasculature system. It can be benign, occurring in healthy individuals without systemic associations, or it may be secondary, occurring in association with underlying disease. Livedo reticularis can manifest by any process that reduces arteriole blood flow or venous outflow, leading to accumulation of deoxygenated venous blood. Physiologic, primary, and idiopathic LR occur without systemic associations. Systemic associations with LR include autoimmune connective tissue disease, vasospasm, vessel obstruction, medications, infections, neoplasms, and congenital, hematologic, and neurologic causes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Speight EL, Lawrence CM. Reticulate purpura, cryoglobulinaemia and livedo reticularis. Br J Dermatol. 1993;129(3):319–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Filo V, Brezova D, Hlavcak P, Filova A. Livedo reticularis as a presenting symptom of polycythaemia vera. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1999;24(5):428.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Frances C, Niang S, Laffitte E, Pelletier F, Costedoat N, Piette JC. Dermatologic manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome: two hundred consecutive cases. Arthritis Rheum. 2005;52(6):1785–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kriseman YL, Nash JW, Hsu S. Criteria for the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome in patients presenting with dermatologic symptoms. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(1):112–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Frances C. Dermatological manifestations of Hughes’ antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Lupus. 2010;19(9):1071–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The spectrum of differential diagnosis in neurological patients with livedo reticularis and livedo racemosa. A literature review. J Neurol. 2005;252(10):1155–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bosco L, Peroni A, Schena D, Colato C, Girolomoni G. Cutaneous manifestations of Churg-Strauss syndrome: report of two cases and review of the literature. Clin Rheumatol. 2011;30(4):573–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Dion J, Bachmeyer C, Moguelet P, Lescure FX, Pagnoux C. Livedo reticularis and erythematous macules of the forearms indicating cutaneous microscopic polyangiitis. Am J Med. 2010;123(11):e5–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Gunderson CG, Federman DG. Web of confusion. Am J Med. 2011;124(6):501–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Chaudhary K, Wall BM, Rasberry RD. Livedo reticularis: an underutilized diagnostic clue in cholesterol embolization syndrome. Am J Med Sci. 2001;321(5):348–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Izumi AK, Samlaska CP, Hew DW, Bruno PP. Septic embolization arising from infected pseudoaneurysms following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Cutis Cutan Med Pract. 2000;66(6):447–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Blackmon JA, Jeffy BG, Malone JC, Knable Jr AL. Oxalosis involving the skin: case report and literature review. Arch Dermatol. 2011;147:1302–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Dean SM. Livedo reticularis and related disorders. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2011;13(2):179–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Vollum DI, Parkes JD, Doyle D. Livedo reticularis during amantadine treatment. Br Med J. 1971;2(5762):627–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Elkayam O, Yaron M, Caspi D. Minocycline induced arthritis associated with fever, livedo reticularis, and pANCA. Ann Rheum Dis. 1996;55(10):769–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Gibbs MB, English 3rd JC, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: an update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52(6):1009–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Erel A, Ozsoy E, University G. Livedo reticularis associated with renal cell carcinoma. Int J Dermatol. 2001;40(4):299–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Spiers EM, Fakharzadeh SS. Livedo reticularis and inflammatory carcinoma of the breast. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;31(4):689–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments  

Diagnostic Flow Chart 1 based on data from Gibbs MB, English JC, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: an update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;Jun;52(6):1009–1019.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Stephanie W. Liu M.D. & Ruth Ann Vleugels M.D., MPH

Authors
  1. Stephanie W. Liu M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ruth Ann Vleugels M.D., MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephanie W. Liu M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence Department of Biomedicine, Florence, Italy

    Marco Matucci-Cerinic

  2. Division of Rheumatology, UCLA Medical Center Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Daniel Furst

  3. Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA

    David Fiorentino

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Liu, S.W., Vleugels, R.A. (2014). Livedo Reticularis. In: Matucci-Cerinic, M., Furst, D., Fiorentino, D. (eds) Skin Manifestations in Rheumatic Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7849-2_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7849-2_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7848-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7849-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation