Response of livedoid vasculitis to intravenous immunoglobulin.

Livedoid vasculitis is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent painful ulceration of the lower limbs, which heals to leave atrophie blanche surrounded by hyperpigmentation and telangiectasia. We report two patients with livedoid vasculitis who, after failure of conventional therapies, responded to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). There was healing of areas of active ulceration and improvement of erythema, swelling and pain. IVIg has been used successfully to treat a variety of vasculitic disorders and appears to be well tolerated. We suggest that this treatment is offered to patients who have livedoid vasculitis that is unresponsive to other therapies.