# Autoimmune-Associated Livedoid Vasculopathy: Response to Immunomodulatory Therapy

**Authors:** Thanda Aung, Jenice X Cheah

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.92748 · Cureus · 2025-09-19

## TL;DR

A 55-year-old woman with a rare skin condition called livedoid vasculopathy achieved long-term remission using immunoglobulin and hydroxychloroquine, suggesting an autoimmune cause.

## Contribution

Demonstrates successful treatment of autoimmune-associated livedoid vasculopathy with IVIG and HCQ in a refractory case.

## Key findings

- The patient achieved complete and durable remission after 16 years of treatment-resistant disease.
- IVIG and HCQ were effective in treating autoimmune-associated livedoid vasculopathy.
- Autoimmune features should be evaluated in patients with livedoid vasculopathy.

## Abstract

Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a rare, chronic occlusive dermopathy causing recurrent painful ulcerations, impaired healing, and significant morbidity. Historically considered a thrombotic microangiopathy, emerging evidence suggests an autoimmune or mixed pathogenesis in some patients. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with LV and serologic features of undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) who achieved complete, durable remission using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). After 16 years of refractory disease, including failure of multiple anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and immunosuppressive regimens, her ulcers resolved completely and have not recurred for more than two years. This case underscores the need to evaluate for autoimmune features in LV, highlights IVIG as an effective treatment, and demonstrates that HCQ may serve as a valuable adjunct in refractory autoimmune-associated LV.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** hydroxychloroquine (PubChem CID 3652)
- **Diseases:** livedoid vasculopathy (MONDO:0025514), undifferentiated connective tissue disease (MONDO:0019527)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Autoimmune-Associated Livedoid Vasculopathy (MESH:D000090122), dermopathy (MESH:C536920), thrombotic microangiopathy (MESH:D057049), autoimmune (MESH:D001327), ulcers (MESH:D014456), UCTD (MESH:D000074079)
- **Chemicals:** HCQ (MESH:D006886)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12535920/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12535920