ABSTRACT
Arteriovenous fistulae are known to be one of the causes of intractable leg skin ulcers. Because they raise peripheral venous pressure, decrease arterial blood flow to peripheral tissue, and cause venous blood congestion, symptoms of skin coldness, edema, pain, dermatitis and skin ulcers may appear in the legs. We observed a 32 year-old woman with multiple intractable bilateral leg skin ulcers due to arteriovenous fistulae successfully treated with Kampo medicines. In 1999, skin ulcers, edema, and pain presented in both her legs. She was diagnosed has having arteriovenous fistulae with various examinations in 2003. She had subsequently been treated with topical preparations on her legs, analgesics and other palliative treatments, but as symptoms had not improved, she first visited our outpatient clinic in August 2006. After an initial oral administration of tokishakuyakusan extract for 6 weeks, her pain improved. Afterwards, ogikenchuto was added for symptoms of qi deficiency. Moreover, bushi powder was added for the treatment of pain exacerbated in cold conditions. After 6 months, the size of her skin ulcers was fairly reduced, and she had no need of analgesic drugs. In past reports, Kampo medicines have not been used for the treatment of intractable skin ulcers due to arteriovenous fistulae. This case suggests that Kampo medicines are a treatment option in this condition.