[Purple glove syndrome - a case report]

The purple glove syndrome (PGS) is a soft tissue injury after peripheral intravenous phenytoin administration or oral overdosage. The incidence of PGS is described with 0-6%. Typical symptoms are purple discoloration, oedema, pain, and a decrease of range of motion. In severe cases PGS may lead to abscess, skin loss and compartment syndrome. The established treatment of PGS is immediate interruption of phenytoin injections, splinting, elevation, and close observation. In cases of severe complications (e. g., compartment syndrome), surgical intervention is necessary. The case of a 40-year-old female patient is reported who was transferred to our department 4 days after intravenous phenytoin administration and who underwent successful surgical revision.