Case report: ainhum (spontaneous dactylolysis) in a 65-year-old American black man

Ainhum is the spontaneous autoamputation of toes as a result of the formation of a constricting band. It usually affects the fifth toe bilaterally and predominantly affects blacks in tropical regions, but has been uncommonly reported in temperate regions as well, including the United States. Of the 29 cases identified in the American literature since 1960, only 6 were published in the internal medicine literature. Because of the rarity of ainhum and consequent lack of attention in the clinical literature, this condition may be relatively unknown and therefore unrecognized by practicing internists. A patient with ainhum is described and the clinical features of this rare disease are emphasized to facilitate recognition and appropriate management.