Vascular ulcers in scleroderma.

Seven patients with scleroderma and either livedo reticularis or atrophie blanche lesions had ulcers of the lower extremity. Livedoid vasculitis, periarteritis nodosa, or endarteritis obliterans lesions were associated with the ulcers. Five patients had livedoid vasculitis, one patient had associated lupus panniculitis, and one patient had rheumatoid arthritis. Four patients had elevated ESRs, four had positive antinuclear antibody tests, and two had positive tests for rheumatoid factor. Patients with scleroderma and livedoid vasculitis or livedo reticularis and ulcers should be examined to rule out underlying vascular disease or endarteritis obliterans.