acrocyanosis

Introduction

Vasospasm of dermal arterioles with secondary dilatation of capillary beds & subpapillary venous plexus.

Etiology

• anxiety
• asthenia
• endocrinopathy

Clinical manifestations

• cold extremities
• symmetric cyanosis of extremities
• persistent blue or red mottling of wrists, ankles & digits
• cold sweat on digits
• accentuated by cold temperature
• relieved by warm temperature
• rarely painful

* images

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

More general terms

• cyanosis

More specific terms

• erythrocyanosis; perniosis