[Blue toe syndrome as an initial manifestation of metastatic prostate cancer : A case report with literature review]. / Un syndrome des orteils bleus révélant un cancer de la prostate métastatique : une observation avec analyse de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous and vascular manifestations of cancer are numerous. Among paraneoplastic acral vascular syndrome, we report a case of blue toe syndrome as the first manifestation of a prostate cancer following with analysis of this syndrome according literature. OBSERVATION: A 56-year-old man, with Raynaud's phenomenon of the upper limbs for 2 to 3 years, had 4 blue toes of the left foot evolving for 18 months, without ulceration, the pulses being present. Vascular and cardiac explorations (ultrasound, angio-MRI) were normal. There was no biological or immunological abnormality except an elevated PSA level. Prostate biopsies confirmed diagnosis and abdomino-pelvic CT scan proved the bone and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: The revelation of a prostate cancer with bone metastases by a blue toe syndrome is a rare situation. In a patient with a blue toe syndrome with no obvious clinical or biological abnormality, especially atheromatous, investigations should include a search for cancer, which can be revealed by blue toes.

[A POEMS syndrome revealed by a blue toe syndrome]. / Un syndrome POEMS révélé par un syndrome des orteils bleus.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial and venous thromboses occur in almost one in five patients with POEMS syndrome and usually in macrocirculation. CASE REPORT: We report a 67-year-old male with a POEMS syndrome who presented initially with a blue toe syndrome. He complained of Raynaud's syndrome and left foot paresthesia. Physical examination showed gynecomastia, lymphadenopathies and skin lesions. Cardiovascular investigations excluded atrial fibrillation, unstable atherosclerotic lesions and vascular calcifications. Imaging studies showed diffuse osteosclerotic lesions. Monoclonal protein with lambda light chain was discovered and serum level of VEGF was increased at 2900pg/ml. CONCLUSION: This is to our knowledge the first case of thrombotic microangiopathy in POEMS syndrome without embolic cause or calciphylaxis.

Skin lesions simulating blue toe syndrome caused by prolonged contact with a millipede

Venomous animals are those that, by means of a hunting and defense mechanism, are able to inject their prey with a toxic substance produced in their bodies, directly from specialized glands (e.g., tooth, sting, spur) through which the poison passes. Millipedes are poisonous animals; they can be harmful to humans, and their effects usually manifest as erythematous, purpuric, and cyanotic lesions; local pain; and paresthesia. Here, we report a case of skin contact with a millipede for 6h resulting in skin lesions similar to blue toe syndrome.

Síndrome del dedo azul / Blue finger syndrome

El síndrome o signo del dedo azul (SDA) es una entidad poco frecuente causada por la oclusión de vasos periféricos distales. Se manifiesta como una coloración inicialmente azulada de uno o más dedos, referidos primero en las extremidades inferiores, en ausencia de traumatismo previo, y de etiología múltiple. La importancia de establecer un diagnóstico temprano y tratamiento oportuno es evitar la evolución extrema de necrosis o la pérdida de la vida del paciente.

The blue finger syndrome (or sign) is a rare entity caused by distal occlusion of peripheral vessels, which initially manifested as bluish discoloration of one or more fingers, first descriptions described in lower extremities in the absence of previous trauma of multiple etiologies; the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent extreme changes in necrosis or loss of patient life.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma as a rare cause of blue toe syndrome.

Blue toe syndrome (BTS), is a well-known entity of toe gangrene and rest pain secondary to micro emboli lodged within the digital arteries. BTS among young patients should alert physicians to look for causes such as trauma, connective tissue disease, hypercoagulability state, and others. We hereby describe a 32-year-old female with right BTS. A mass obstructing 80% of the right popliteal artery lumen was the source of emboli. The histologic results of the replaced arterial segment revealed a thrombus on top of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. This is the first description of the association between primary vascular tumor and BTS.

Embolización cutánea por microcristales de colesterol: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Cholesterol cutaneous crystal embolization: a case report and literature review

La embolización de cristales de colesterol genera un síndrome multiorgánico inespecífico, severo, relativamente infrecuente y de difícil diagnóstico. Se produce por la oclusión de pequeños vasos en diferentes sistemas, entre ellos la piel, órgano diana frecuente. Se comunica el caso de un varón de 69 años con múltiples factores de riesgo cardiovascular y varios eventos desencadenantes que presentó embolización por microcristales de colesterol con compromiso cutáneo y renal.

Cholesterol crystal embolization is a rare and severe multiorganic syn-drome of diffi cult diagnosis. It occurs as a result of the occlusion of smallvessels in diff erent organs, being the skin a frequent diana.We present the case of a 69 years-old male with multiple cardiovascularrisk factors and many precipitant events. He developed cholesterol em-bolization syndrome with cutaneous and renal involvement.

Síndrome de dedos azules asociado a síndrome antifosfolipídico secundario a sífilis / Blue toe syndrome related to antiphospholipidic syndrome secondary to syphillis

El síndrome de dedos azules o fenómeno de acrocianosis, descrito en la literatura, se presenta secundario a una alteración en la vasculatura periférica que puede obedecer a fenómenos inflamatorios o vasculopatías oclusivas, de etiología infecciosa (directa o inmunológica por inmunocomplejos) así como no infecciosa (trastornos de la coagulación, enfermedades autoinmunes primarias o secundarias). Se presenta el caso de un paciente con acrocianosis secundaria a síndrome antifosfolipídico cuya etiología fue la infección por sífilis. El diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno tuvo un desenlace favorable sin secuelas discapacitantes para el paciente.

Blue toe syndrome or acrocyanosis phenomenon have been previously described in the literature; it is secondary to peripheral vasculature dysfunction due to inflammation or occlusive vasculopathies which can also be secondary to infectious etiologies (directly or immunologically by immunocomplexes) and non infectious etiologies (coagulation disorders, primary or secondary autoimmune diseases). We report the case of a patient with acrocyanosis secondary to antiphospholipidic syndrome which etiology was syphilis. Prompt diagnose and treatment had a favorable outcome without dysfunctional consequences.

[The blue toe syndrome and its pathogenic significance. A case report]. / A síndrome do dedo azul e o seu significado patogénico. A propósito de um caso clínico.

A 64-years-old woman complained of fixed cyanosis and rest pain of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th toes of the right foot, after a sudden onset one month previously to the clinical examination. The diagnosis of "blue toe syndrome" was then made. She was in a post-menopause state, with no hormonal substitution therapy, complaining also of obesity, arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia, under medication but no laboratory control. Blood tests excluded an hypercoagulable state and the ECG revealed no significant abnormalities. Angio-CT scans and conventional angiography disclosed an atherosclerotic lesion at the femoropopliteal level, with an adherent and floating thrombus in the arterial lumen, causing microemboli to the collateral digital arteries. The complex lesion was removed through a local thromboendarterectomy, followed by a Carrel-DeBakey patch graft angioplasty, using autologous saphenous vein. Post operative course was uneventfull, with an immediate recovery of the clinical picture. Double antiplatelet therapy was advised and an extensive investigation of the possible relationship of this event with an occult malignancy was started, with no conclusive results, until now. The patient was placed in a clinical, laboratory and imagiologic surveillance program and the main features of this entity are emphasized and discussed, according to the data published in the literature on the subject.

[Blue toe syndrome; a sign of end-arterial occlusion]. / Blauwe-tenensyndroom; een teken van eindarteriële occlusie.

Three patients, two women aged 66 and 43 years, respectively, and a man aged 76 years, presented with sudden, painful, blue areas in the toes with intact peripheral pulsations. One patient had a myeloproliferative syndrome due to essential thrombocytosis, the second patient had thromboangiitis obliterans, and the third patient had a cholesterol embolism, possibly due to the use of oral anticoagulants. After treatment, one patient recovered fully and the other two improved significantly. The blue toe syndrome is the pathophysiological consequence of end-arterial occlusion and frequently the first manifestation of a systemic disorder, such as atheroembolism or vasculitis. Adequate treatment is possible in most cases. Therefore, it is very important to recognise this disorder and its possible causes so as to prevent further episodes of local symptoms and especially systemic complications.

A case of cholesterol embolism confirmed by skin biopsy and successfully treated with statins and steroids.

Although cholesterol embolism syndrome was recognized as a clinicopathologic entity more than 50 years ago, it is attracting growing attention recently. It is a multisystemic disorder in which cholesterol crystals released from atherosclerotic plaques obstruct small arterioles, resulting in local ischemia and end-organ damage. There are no established treatments, and with the limited treatment options available, it is important to make the diagnosis as early as possible. We present the case of a 68-year-old man with cholesterol embolism who had a few fluttering atheromas in the aorta, as demonstrated by transesophageal ultrasonography. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin biopsy, and treatment with statins and steroids proved effective, as renal failure progressively improved. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and shows the possible therapeutic effects of statins and steroids for patients with this syndrome.

Cholesterol crystal embolization mimicking vasculitis: success with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy in two cases.

Cholesterol crystal embolization is a potential complication of atherosclerosis. Approximately one-third of the patients who develop this problem have a history of vascular surgery, angiography or angioplasty hours to weeks before onset. The skin and the kidneys are most frequently involved, but any organ can be affected. Livedo reticularis of the lower extremities and acrocyanosis (known as "blue toe syndrome") are the most common cutaneous manifestations. Histological examination is the only way to definitively diagnose cholesterol crystal embolization. Recently, it has been proposed that cholesterol embolization is associated with vasculitis, and some authors have labeled this condition a "vasculitis look-alike." There is still no specific treatment for this problem, even in cases that progress to renal failure. However, a few case reports in the literature have noted successful treatment with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide in patients with deteriorating renal function. In this article, we describe two cases of severe cholesterol crystal embolization accompanied by renal dysfunction) and blue toe syndrome. Both patients benefited from corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy.

Angioplasty with stenting is effective in treating blue toe syndrome.

Blue toe syndrome is a manifestation of distal embolization associated with significant pain and risk of tissue loss. The recommended treatment options for this problem include endarterectomy or bypass with exclusion of the source of emboli. Although focal arterial stenosis can be effectively treated with angioplasty,it is unclear whether performing angioplasty in a lesion suspected of causing distal embolization might actually worsen the condition or what long-term effects this would have in preventing future embolization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the treatment and outcome of a series of patients with unilateral blue toe syndrome treated with percutaneous angioplasty and stenting. During a 5-year period, a total of 8 patients were identified with unilateral blue toe syndrome. Ankle/brachial indices (ABIs) were obtained, followed by arteriography. The study group included 4 men and 4 women with an age range of 35 to 83 years. Their atherosclerotic risk factors included smoking (8), hypertension (5), diabetes mellitus (3), and hypercholesterolemia (1). One patient had a history of illicit drug use. The patients were followed up by repeat clinical examinations and vascular laboratory studies. Arteriography typically demonstrated a focal preocclusive lesion with thrombus at the distal end of the lesion. Angioplasty and stent placement was technically successful in all cases. The ABIs increased following angioplasty (before 0.81 +/- 0.05; after 1.02 +/-.05). The symptoms resolved in all 8 patients over the ensuing month, and there were no recurrences with a mean follow-up of 18.5 months (range 4 to 36 months). There was 1 death at 4 months associated with preexisting colon carcinoma. Unilateral arterial to arterial emboli were found in association with focal preocclusive lesions. Despite the presence of thrombus in some of the lesions, these patients were not acutely worse following angioplasty. There was good initial angiographic success in all cases. There was also hemodynamic improvement as shown by the increased ankle/brachial indices. Although long-term follow-up is not available, these intermediate results suggest that angioplasty and stenting should be considered a reasonable alternative to standard operative approaches for patients with blue to syndrome associated with embolization from a focal stenosis.

Clinical outcomes of renal cholesterol crystal embolization.

Cholesterol crystal embolization is an increasingly recognized disease, presenting with a wide clinical spectrum, usually occurring in elderly men who undergo an angiographic procedure or vascular surgery. We report three patients who developed systemic cholesterol embolic disease and varying degrees of renal failure after angiographic interventions of the coronaries.

Evaluation and management of cholesterol embolization and the blue toe syndrome.

The blue toe syndrome is characterized by tissue ischemia secondary to cholesterol crystal or atherothrombotic embolization leading to occlusion of small vessels. Embolization occurs typically from an ulcerated atherosclerotic plaque located in the aorto-iliac-femoral arterial system. Clinical presentation can range from a cyanotic toe to a diffuse multiorgan systemic disease that can mimic other systemic illness. Mortality can be higher than 70% depending on the scope of the illness. Embolization can occur spontaneously or from a variety of insults such as invasive vascular procedures, anticoagulation, or thrombolytic therapy. Angiography, duplex ultrasonography, computerized tomographic scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging have been used to image the offending lesions, with angiography considered the "gold standard" despite its inherent risks. Recently, transesophageal echocardiography has been shown to be a helpful tool in imaging the thoracic aorta and delineating in great detail the anatomy of the aortic atheroma. At present, surgery remains the most viable treatment option. However, we look to the future for large randomized trials to help predict embolization and thus the proper medical therapy.