BACKGROUND: Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a thrombotic vasculopathy of the skin of unknown origin. No treatment has been validated in this indication, but case reports suggest the successful use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in LV. METHODS: Outcomes in five patients treated with IVIG for treatment-resistant ulcerated LV were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment with IVIG induced complete remission (based on clinical evaluation and a pain-related visual analog scale) in four patients but was ineffective in one patient. Three patients relapsed; the median time to relapse was 10.7 months. Re-treatment with IVIG in these three patients was successful. CONCLUSIONS: These cases confirm previous reports that IVIG seems to be a rapid, effective, and safe treatment for patients with idiopathic refractory ulcerated LV. However, a placebo-controlled study is mandatory to confirm these results.
BACKGROUND:Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a thrombotic vasculopathy of the skin of unknown origin. No treatment has been validated in this indication, but case reports suggest the successful use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in LV. METHODS: Outcomes in five patients treated with IVIG for treatment-resistant ulcerated LV were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment with IVIG induced complete remission (based on clinical evaluation and a pain-related visual analog scale) in four patients but was ineffective in one patient. Three patients relapsed; the median time to relapse was 10.7 months. Re-treatment with IVIG in these three patients was successful. CONCLUSIONS: These cases confirm previous reports that IVIG seems to be a rapid, effective, and safe treatment for patients with idiopathic refractory ulcerated LV. However, a placebo-controlled study is mandatory to confirm these results.