Acute Limb Ischemia in Cogan Syndrome

BACKGROUND Cogan syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder associated most frequently with ocular, vestibular, and auditory involvement from presumed small vessel vasculitis. Cogan syndrome, in a significant proportion of patients, can progress to systemic symptoms, including gastrointestinal, neurologic, and musculoskeletal manifestations. Large-vessel involvement has also been described in some cases (eg, aortitis), but acute limb ischemia in the setting of this illness has been infrequently reported. CASE REPORT We present a rare case of Cogan syndrome complicated by acute vascular ischemia of the left upper extremity. A 50-year-old man presented with symptoms of severe acute pain and weakness of the left arm. The patient endorsed a diagnosis of Cogan syndrome 4 years prior in the setting of unilateral left-sided hearing loss and bilateral uveitis. A physical examination revealed pallor of the left forearm and pulselessness at the wrist. Computed tomography angiography was suggestive of vasculitis and concerns for embolic occlusion of several arterial structures of the left upper limb. After consultation with various specialists, the patient was treated with high-dose steroids, anticoagulants, and topical nitroglycerin and experienced significant clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of Cogan syndrome with severe systemic manifestations depends on the organ involvement and degree of extension. Our patient's presentation serves as an impressive example of systemic vasculitis with subsequent acute ischemia in the setting of this rare autoimmune disorder. In such a case, given the potential for life- or limb-threatening systemic vascular catastrophes, emergent interventions (including imaging, anticoagulation, and specialist involvement) are required to prevent untoward outcomes.