Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The non-ischaemic blue finger.

H S Khaira1, D Rittoo, R K Vohra

  • 1Department of Surgery, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, UK.

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|July 4, 2001
PubMed
Summary

This study describes a benign finger discoloration condition that mimics digital ischemia. The condition resolves within a week without lasting effects, differing from true ischemia by sparing the fingertip.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Infrainguinal Vein Graft Stenoses: Long-Term Outcomes of Graft Angioplasty.

European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery : the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery·2016
Same author

Stenting as a bail-out option after failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in infrainguinal vein bypass grafts.

Vascular·2015
Same author

Temporal artery biopsy: impact on the clinical management of patients.

The Indian journal of surgery·2012
Same author

Ruptured inflammatory aortic aneurysm with aortoenteric fistula and infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae: a review of the literature.

The Indian journal of surgery·2012
Same author

Reevaluation of the preparation of organic compounds for the mass spectrometric analysis for oxygen-18.

Analytical chemistry·2012
Same author

Effect of diet composition on energy expenditure during weight loss: the POUNDS LOST Study.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2011

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Dermatology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Finger discoloration can indicate serious vascular issues.
  • A subset of patients present with acute, painful blue/purple finger discoloration.
  • This presentation can be mistaken for critical digital ischemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a specific, benign finger discoloration syndrome.
  • To differentiate this condition from digital ischemia.
  • To inform primary care physicians about this non-pathological presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Case series of 11 patients presenting with acute finger discoloration.
  • Clinical examination including vital signs, auscultation, and Doppler studies.
  • Laboratory investigations including complete blood count, C-reactive protein, vasculitis screen, and coagulation profile.

Main Results:

  • 11 patients (9 female, 2 male) experienced acute, painful blue/purple finger discoloration, sparing the tip.
  • Symptoms resolved spontaneously within 4-7 days with no sequelae.
  • All examinations and most laboratory tests were normal, ruling out significant vascular or systemic disease.
  • No common etiological factor was identified, though the condition predominantly affected women.

Conclusions:

  • A benign, self-limiting finger discoloration syndrome exists, distinct from digital ischemia.
  • This condition, while alarming, has a favorable prognosis and does not indicate underlying vascular compromise.
  • Awareness among healthcare professionals is important to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary investigations.

Related Experiment Videos