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Lower limb amputation secondary to large vessel involvement in scleroderma.
M I Dorevitch1, L E Clemens, J B Webb
1Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
British Journal of Rheumatology
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Scleroderma, a condition typically affecting small blood vessels, can also cause severe large vessel peripheral vascular disease. This rare complication led to a below-knee amputation in a patient with scleroderma.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities.
- While primarily affecting the microvasculature, large vessel involvement is increasingly recognized.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old woman with scleroderma presented with acute left foot pain and weakness.
- She developed progressive lower limb ischemia, necessitating a below-knee amputation.
Findings:
- Histological examination revealed marked intimal hyperplasia in the large vessels of the affected leg.
- This case highlights a rare instance of popliteal artery occlusion in scleroderma.
Implications:
- Scleroderma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained large vessel peripheral vascular disease.
- This underscores the need for vigilance regarding potential macrovascular complications in patients with scleroderma.