Clinical images: Anetoderma in systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibodies

The Risk of Thrombotic Events in Anetoderma Affecting Young Patients

Anetoderma is a rare skin disease, and its associated risk of thromboembolic events is unknown. Anetoderma is characterized by focal injury of elastic fibers in the dermis, clinically expressed by atrophic skin lesions. We report the case of a young person with anetoderma, drawing attention to the risk of associated thromboembolic peril.

The skin and hypercoagulable states

Hypercoagulable states (HS) are inherited or acquired conditions that predispose an individual to venous and/or arterial thrombosis. The dermatologist can play a vital role in diagnosing a patient's HS by recognizing the associated cutaneous manifestations, such as purpura, purpura fulminans, livedo reticularis, livedo vasculopathy (atrophie blanche), anetoderma, chronic venous ulcers, and superficial venous thrombosis. The cutaneous manifestations of HS are generally nonspecific, but identification of an abnormal finding can warrant a further workup for an underlying thrombophilic disorder. This review will focus on the basic science of hemostasis, the evaluation of HS, the skin manifestations associated with hypercoagulability, and the use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in dermatology.