Anetoderma associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: case report and review of the literature

The association of primary anetoderma (PA) with antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs; with or without criteria of primary antiphospholipid syndrome) has been observed repeatedly and a possible pathogenic significance of this ass sociation has been hypothesized. We report the case of a 21-year-old-woman who developed anetodermic lesions on her upper trunk and arms. The presence of APAs was demonstrated, but no diagnostic criteria of systemic lupus ery thematosus were present. A review of the literature disclosed 20 previously reported patients presenting this peculiar association. Thrombotic phenome na, represented by spontaneous abortions or venous thrombosis, are a freque nt complication in this setting. Taking these observations into account a s ystematic search for APAs in patients with PA seems advisable.