Finger gangrene caused by small artery occlusive disease

Available evidence indicates that about one third of all patients presenting with localized finger gangrene developed the condition due to intrinsic occlusions of the small arteries of the hand and fingers caused by one of a variety of systemic diseases. We have treated 35 such patients in the past seven years. A variety of diagnostic tests allowed the establishment of the diagnosis of connective tissue disease in 14 patients, hypersensitivity angiitis in 13 patients, arteriosclerosis in five patients, and myeloid metaplasia, calciphylaxis, and carcinoma in one patient each. Treatment with cold and tobacco avoidance, vasodilators, and local debridement produced good results without amputation in 30 patients. Five patients required partial phalangeal amputation. These results suggest that appropriate diagnostic tests will allow an accurate diagnosis in all patients, and that the natural history is that of spontaneous improvement without major tissue loss. In our experience, surgical sympathectomy plays no role in the treatment of these patients.