Livedoid and Gangrenous Dermatitis (Nicolau Syndrome)

Introduction Livedoid and gangrenous dermatitis is a rare posttherapeutic accident, produced by intravenous, intramuscular or intra-arterial drug injection under an oily or suspension form. In the first stage, artery and branches embolization occurs or there is wall irritation. In the second stage thrombosis or arterial spasms follow and acute ischemia syndrome of segmental skin occurs. The extent and severity of the lesions are closely related to the size of the affected artery. The first clinical case was described by Stefan G. Nicolau in 1925, after injections of bismuth [1].