The vasculitis of atrophie blanche (livedoid vasculitis) and abdominal aortic pathology

Seven of forty-two patients with livedoid vasculitis whose cases were reviewed at the Mayo Clinic were found to have abdominal aortic disease, in the form of aortic calcification and atherosclerosis or aneurysm. None of these patients had any associated systemic mesenchymal disease (lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, or carcinomatous diseases). Three patients received graft replacements for aneurysm or vascular occlusive disease. Removal of the aneurysm in one case was associated with resolution of the livedoid vasculitis. Abdominal aortic changes should be considered in patients with diagnosed livedoid vasculitis.