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acrocyanosis
Vasospasm of dermal arterioles with secondary dilatation of capillary beds & subpapillary venous plexus.
Etiology:
1) anxiety
2) asthenia
3) endocrinopathy
Clinical manifestations:
1) cold extremities
2) symmetric cyanosis of extremities
3) persistent blue or red mottling of wrists, ankles & digits
4) cold sweat on digits
5) accentuated by cold temperature
6) relieved by warm temperature
7) rarely painful
* images [3]
Laboratory:
- intradermal injection of histamine results in pronounced erythematous wheal
Differential diagnosis:
- frostbite is generally painful
Management:
- benign form generally does not require treatment
- prolonged exposure to the cold, especially in patients in poor health, can result in an emergency
Specific
erythrocyanosis; perniosis
General
cyanosis
References
- DeGowin & DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, 6th edition,
RL DeGowin (ed), McGraw Hill, NY 1994, pg 861
- Wikipedia: Acrocyanosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrocyanosis
- DermNet NZ. Acrocyanosis (images)
http://www.dermnetnz.org/vascular/acrocyanosis.html