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.

Persistent sciatic artery presenting as blue toe: diagnostic dilemma

A persistent sciatic artery [PSA] results from lack of regression of the fetal arterial blood supply of the leg and is often combined with an abnormally developed superficial femoral artery. Here in we would like to present a 63 year old woman presenting for the first time with blue toe and on further evaluation diagnosis of PSA was made. Our case illustrates that a complete physical examination and comprehensive evaluation of the peripheral arterial system of the lower limb including possible persistence of sciatic artery is essential in patients presenting as blue toe before embarking on a surgical or other type of interventional procedure

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.

Locked-in syndrome and blue toe syndrome caused by cardiopulmonary bypass

Severe inflammation after cardiopulmonary bypass with the vasculitis of the acral extremity and vertebro-basilar arterial system leads to the locked-in syndrome and blue toe syndrome. In broad terms, systemic, idiopathic, and environmental factors provoke syndromes that present with digital discoloration or the blue toe syndrome. Painful digital discoloration, accompanied by ulceration, suggests vasculitis, involving small blood vessels. Definitive diagnosis usually requires histological documentation because vasculitic syndromes have no pathognomonic clinical features or laboratory test results. The case introduced herein is that of a woman who developed the locked-in syndrome in conjunction with quadriplegia, loss of facial movement, speech loss, and loss of horizontal eye movements. She had initially presented with severe mitral stenosis and left atrial clot and undergone mitral valve replacement and clot extraction. The patient expired from multiple organ failure despite prolonged ventilatory support, including tracheotomy, and meticulous nursing care and antibiotic prophylaxis. Given the previously reported partial recovery from this syndrome with the use of steroids, we would advocate the use of such pharmacological agents