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Amantadine-induced livedo reticularis - Case report* * Study carried out at the Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay - Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.

Abstract

Livedo reticularis is a spastic-anatomical condition of the small vessels which translates morphologically by a reticular pattern, interspersing cyanosis, pallor and erythema. The same can be congenital or acquired. Among the acquired, we highlight the physiological livedo reticularis and the idiopathic livedo by vasospasm; the latter configures the most common cause. The drug-induced type is less common. The drugs amantadine and norepinephrine are often implicated. Cyanosis is usually reversible if the causative factor is removed, however, with chronicity, the vessels may become permanently dilated and telangiectatic. We report a case of a patient diagnosed with Parkinson's disease with chronic livedo reticularis associated with the use of amantadine and improvement after discontinuation of the drug.

Keywords:
Amantadine; Livedo reticularis; Vascular diseases

INTRODUCTION

Livedo reticularis (LR) should be considered an elementary dermatological lesion, grouped within vascular macules, representing a fi nding of common dermatological clinical examination.1Herrero C, Guilabert A, Mascaró-Galy JM. Diagnosis and treatment of livedo reticularis on the legs. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2008:99:598-607.The term 'livedo', first suggested by Hebra to describe a purplish discoloration of the skin caused by an abnormality in the cutaneous circulation.2Fleischer AB Jr, Resnick SD. Livedo reticularis. Dermatol Clin. 1990;8:347-354.

LR a physiological, vasospastic response of cutaneous microvasculature to cold or systemic disease. It is believed that the blood supply of normal skin is arranged in cones or hexagons, whose apex is composed of the cutaneous arteriole, based on the skin territory with a 1 cm by 4 cm area, depending on its blood irrigation. Situations where there is reduction of the circulatory flux of these arterioles or of venous drainage may lead to clinical appearance of LR.3Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.,4Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.

Erythematous-cyanotic well defined spots, called complete or closed are clinically observed, delimiting internal skin areas with normal aspect or pale in color.1Herrero C, Guilabert A, Mascaró-Galy JM. Diagnosis and treatment of livedo reticularis on the legs. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2008:99:598-607.,3Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.,4Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.

Semiologically, it is fundamental to know the difference from livedo racemosa, characteristically showing poorly defined slim and open lesions. This should direct clinical reasoning to pathological causes.4Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.

LR is benign in most cases; however, it may be secondary to different disorders, especially in persistent cases. Vascular, rheumatological, endocrine or even infectious diseases are listed as possible causes, besides conditions that lead to blood hyperviscosity. Finally, certain rugs may be responsible for a LR clinical picture (Chart 1).3Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.

Chart 1
Main causes of livedo reticularis

We report the clinical case of a patient with Parkinson's disease, presenting chronic, persistent LR, associated with the use of antiparkinson medication.

CASE REPORT

A male, 79-year-old patient mentioned the onset of erythematous-bluish lesions of lacy aspect, predominantly on the lower limbs, aggravated by cold weather, for around three years. He denied local or systemic symptoms. Hypertensive, he was medicated with propranolol. He had a cerebral vascular accident 13 years ago. A Parkinson' disease patient, he uses amantadine in association with carbidopa and levodopa.

During physical examination were observed linear maculous lesions of erythematous-bluish color and lacy aspect on the lower limbs. No ulcerated lesions were evident, nor signs of atrophic scars (Figures 1and2).

FIGURE 1
Livedo reticularis. Linear maculous lesions of erythematous-bluish color and lacy aspect on lower limbs
FIGURE 2
Livedo reticularis. Detail showing the lacy aspect

The laboratory investigation included a complete blood count, antinuclear factor (ANF), C3, C4, ENA profile, VDRL, rheumatoid factor, lupus anticoagulant, total proteins and fractions, TGO, TGP, VHS and serologies for hepatitis B and C, chest radiograph and EAS, without alterations.

The hypothesis of LR associated with the use of amantadine was considered and the patient was referred for neurological evaluation; the medication was suspended. Two months after the suspension, the patient did not present dermatological lesions anymore (Figure 3).

FIGURE 3
Two months after interruption of treatment with amantadine, the patient did not present livedo reticularis

DISCUSSION

The etiological investigation of LR involves a detailed anamnesis with information regarding the use of medication, time of onset, associated symptoms, current diseases and recent surgeries. This physical examination is extremely important, as well as laboratory tests and histopathological examination that may suggest the etiology. LR is an adverse effect commonly described in patients using amantadine for treatment of Parkinson's disease, with preference for the female gender and involving mainly the trunk and lower limbs.5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.The differential diagnosis with livedo racemosa, with a pattern of irregular and incomplete circles and generalized involvement, should be considered. This is normally pathological and results from the local and persistent blood flow impediment, as by arteriosclerosis and Sneddon's syndrome.4Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.,6Criado PR, Faillace C, Magalhães LS, Brito K, Carvalho, JF. Livedo reticular: Classificação, causas e diagnósticos diferenciais. Acta Reumatol Port. 2012:37:218-25.Any case of livedo racemosa needs neurological investigation.

The skin is irrigated by arteries that are divided into arterioles at the junction of dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue, forming the deep vascular plexus, which is parallel to the epidermis1Herrero C, Guilabert A, Mascaró-Galy JM. Diagnosis and treatment of livedo reticularis on the legs. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2008:99:598-607.. Arterioles emerge from this plexus and run perpendicularly to the epidermis, dividing into capillaries near the cutaneous surface, where they form the superficial vascular plexus.3Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.,5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.A reduction in the volume of blood running in these arterioles may lead to LR.

Amantadine is one of the best known drugs that cause LR. Used at first as antiviral agent, today it is more commonly used in Parkinson's disease.7Pinto RASR. Eficácia da amantadina no controle da discenisia tardia causada pelos antipsicóticos. Rev Bras Med. 2012:69:24-7.It is an adamantine derivative that stimulates norepinephrine and dopamine release into the synaptic cleft.5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.This drug has a anticholinergic effect and blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.8Ferraz HB. Tratamento da Doença de Parkinson. Rev Neurociências 1999;7:6-12The physiopathology of LR stimulated by this drug is still not fully known, up to 40% of patients will present it.3Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.,8Ferraz HB. Tratamento da Doença de Parkinson. Rev Neurociências 1999;7:6-12

The amantadine-induced LR pattern suggests generalized cutaneous vascular alteration by the impact on arteries and arterioles of the dermis, corroborated by the absence of systemic involvement during the treatment.5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.It is a reversible side effect, with a variable clinical course (1 to 48 months).5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.Progression to ulceration is possible, but is usually rapidly resolved by withdrawing the drug. As amantadine signifi cantly improves the neurological symptoms, especially dyskinesias derived from the use of levodopa, some patients opt for living with LR, which, except for the cutaneous manifestation, is asymptomatic.5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.

LR histopathology will depend on the basic cause. In the physiological or idiopathic forms, resulting from vasospasm, no alteration was found. When associated with a drug, the histopathological lesion examination usually shows absence of vasculitis and epidermis without alterations; is is not critical for diagnosis.4Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.,5Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.,6Criado PR, Faillace C, Magalhães LS, Brito K, Carvalho, JF. Livedo reticular: Classificação, causas e diagnósticos diferenciais. Acta Reumatol Port. 2012:37:218-25.,9Vollum DI, Parkes JD, Doyle D. Livedo Reticularis during Amantadine Treatment. Br Med J. 1971;2:627-8.

It is important to call attention to this side effect of amantadine, as this association is not always noticed by doctors and this drug is frequently prescribed in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

  • Financial Support: None.
  • How to cite this article: Quaresma MV, Gomes-Dias AC, Serruya A, Vendramini DL, Braga L, Buçard-Mota A. Amantadine-induced livedo reticularis: a case report . An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(5):745-7.
  • *
    Study carried out at the Instituto de Dermatologia Professor Rubem David Azulay - Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil.

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Herrero C, Guilabert A, Mascaró-Galy JM. Diagnosis and treatment of livedo reticularis on the legs. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2008:99:598-607.
  • 2
    Fleischer AB Jr, Resnick SD. Livedo reticularis. Dermatol Clin. 1990;8:347-354.
  • 3
    Gibbs MB, English JC 3rd, Zirwas MJ. Livedo reticularis: An update. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52:1009-19.
  • 4
    Kraemer M, Linden D, Berlit P. The Spectrum Of Differential Diagnosis In Neurological Patients With Livedo Reticularis And Livedo Racemosa - A Literature Review. J Neurol. 2005;252:1155-66.
  • 5
    Silva SB, Miot HA. Case for diagnosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:319-21.
  • 6
    Criado PR, Faillace C, Magalhães LS, Brito K, Carvalho, JF. Livedo reticular: Classificação, causas e diagnósticos diferenciais. Acta Reumatol Port. 2012:37:218-25.
  • 7
    Pinto RASR. Eficácia da amantadina no controle da discenisia tardia causada pelos antipsicóticos. Rev Bras Med. 2012:69:24-7.
  • 8
    Ferraz HB. Tratamento da Doença de Parkinson. Rev Neurociências 1999;7:6-12
  • 9
    Vollum DI, Parkes JD, Doyle D. Livedo Reticularis during Amantadine Treatment. Br Med J. 1971;2:627-8.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Sep-Oct 2015

History

  • Received
    22 Jan 2014
  • Accepted
    18 Feb 2014
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