Leg ulcers in antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus treated with intravenous immunoglobulin

Abstract

This case illustrates a rare cause of leg ulcers and documents that IVIg may be an effective adjuvant treatment in the management of selected patients with antiphospholipid syndrome when conventional strategies using subcutaneous heparin and low-dose aspirin are insufficient.

Earlier Development of Limb Ulcers, Digital Bone Infarction and Pulmonary Hypertension in a Patient with SLE- A Rare Case Report

“…2 Lower extremity ulcers are an infrequent but disabling complication of long-standing connective tissue diseases. 3 Critical peripheral ischemia (CPI) is an uncommon but potentially devastating feature of SLE although little is published as to its prevalence and management. The pathogenesis of critical ischemia in SLE is complex and multifactorial, involving capillary and arteriolar vasospasm associated with Raynaud's phenomenon, active large and small vessel vasculitis, micro-vascular thrombosis and emboli associated with antiphospholipid and accelerated atherosclerosis.…”