Sensory ganglionopathy with livedoid vasculopathy controlled by immunotherapy

ABSTRACT Introduction: Livedoid vasculopathy is a rare dermatological condition characterized by painful ulceration, atrophic scarring, and persistent livedo reticularis. The pathogenesis is unclear. Methods: We report a patient with biopsy‐proven livedoid vasculopathy who developed a progressive sensory ganglionopathy with profound sensory ataxia. Serial nerve conduction assessments were undertaken. Results: Combined treatment with prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil failed to control the ganglionopathy. After addition of rituximab, both symptoms and nerve conduction studies showed stabilization. Conclusions: Sensory ganglionopathies associated with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions may be characterized by a sub‐population of “sick” dorsal root ganglia that can be rescued with aggressive immunotherapy. Muscle Nerve 51: 296–301, 2015