Antiphospholipid syndrome and cutaneous vasoocclusive disorders

The antiphospholipid syndrome (characterized by the presence of circulating lupus anticoagulants or anticardiolipin antibodies) was first recognized in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the syndrome can also exist in the absence of SLE. The clinical features include arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent abortion, neurological problems, and various cutaneous disorders including thrombophlebitis, livedo reticularis, atrophie blanche, leg ulcers, and gangrene. In some cases, antiphospholipid antibodies may play a role with other recognized syndromes characterized by vascular occlusion, such as Sneddon's syndrome (livedo reticularis with cerebrovascular occlusion) and Degos' disease.