Digital ulcers and necroses: novel manifestations of angiocentric lymphoma

We describe a patient with angiocentric lymphoma whose presenting features were multiple areas of digital ulceration and necrosis, including deep ulcers on both great toes. He lacked the lateral halves of both earlobes because of multiple ulcers. Skin biopsy revealed a patchy and diffuse infiltrate of lymphoid cells with nuclear atypia in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Angiocentric and angiodestructive features of the lymphoid cells, a prominent histiocytic infiltrate and some epithelioid cell granulomas were found. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed a T-cell phenotype, and showed positive staining for apoptosis. He died in July 1999. Peripheral vascular disturbances including Raynaud's phenomenon, digital skin ulcers and necroses are novel clinical symptoms in patients with angiocentric lymphoma, which should be added to the differential diagnosis in patients with peripheral vascular disturbances.