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Livedo Racemosa — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardConnective Tissue & VasculitisLivedo RacemosaSCE Dermatology

Which vascular pattern most specifically describes livedo racemosa rather than physiological livedo reticularis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: APersistent broken irregular arcs beyond limbs that do not disappear with warming

Explanation lettering: C = shown as B · B = shown as C · E = shown as D · D = shown as E

A is correct. Livedo racemosa is formed by irregular, broken and often widely distributed segments that persist with warming. Physiological livedo reticularis produces regular closed rings on cold limbs and usually fades with warming. Erythema ab igne and cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita are fixed but have different exposure and congenital patterns.

Reference: DermNet: livedo reticularis: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/livedo-reticularis