ABSTRACT
A wide variety of dermatologic manifestations have been described in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The statistical association between the skin lesions and the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has resulted in their inclusion by Alarcon-Segovia et al. in the clinical diagnostic criteria proposed for APS. Widespread superficial cutaneous necrosis has been reported in several patients with primary APS or SLE-related APS. Superficial thrombophlebitis are occasionally mentioned without any precision about their possible distinctive features in APS. Intravascular thrombosis is demonstrated in skin biopsies from pseudo-vasculitis lesions and widespread cutaneous necrosis. Digital gangrene was present with cutaneous manifestations and lupus anticoagulant (LA), and with primary APS. Primary anetoderma is a rare elastolytic disorder that is sometimes associated with autoimmune disorders, especially discoid lupus or SLE. Necrotic skin ulcerations have been reported since 1963 in association with LA. They have been observed with skin lesions and LA, and with definite SLE-related APS.
