Cutaneous crystal cholesterol emboli

One case of cutaneous cholesterol emboli is described. In patients affected with severe arteriosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, cholesterol crystals may become detached from an atheromatous plaque and result in micro emboli ensuing skin lesions (livedo reticularis, nodules, purple toes, ulcerations, distal gangrene) on the lower extremities. Histopathologic study is required for diagnosis: the lumens of the arterioles were extensively occluded by macrophagic granuloma which surrounded cholesterol crystals.