livedo reticularis and livedo racemosa

 Q: What is the difference between livedo reticularis and livedo racemosa? 

 Answer:

Livedo reticularis is a violaceous mottling or reticular pattern of the skin of the arms and legs with regular unbroken circles. 

And, if on examination circles appear irregular and broken it is called livedo racemosa.

 Please see reference section for review articles 

#rheumatology

References:

1. Sajjan VV, Lunge S, Swamy MB, Pandit AM. Livedo reticularis: A review of the literature. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(5):315-321. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.164493 

2. Pincelli MS, Echavarria AMJ, Criado PR, Marques GF, Morita TCAB, Valente NYS, de Carvalho JF. Livedo Racemosa: Clinical, Laboratory, and Histopathological Findings in 33 Patients. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2021 Mar;20(1):22-28. doi: 10.1177/1534734619896938. Epub 2020 Jan 29. PMID: 31996060.