MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cholesterol emboli Livedo Reticularis

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Cholesterol emboli Livedo Reticularis - feet

Cholesterol emboli block small vessels in dependent areas of the body, here on the foot. The resulting superficial tissue may infarct, and lower vessels may dilate to try and compensate. This creates a livedo, or 'lace-like' pattern.

Update Date: 4/16/2007

Updated by: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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