Question

Discussion

The answer is E: blue toe syndrome. Also known as “trashfoot,” blue toe syndrome is an arterial embolic disorder. Thrombogenic and atherogenic sources for emboli need to be considered in the diagnostic work-up. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed in this patient and was negative for vegetations or clots. Computed tomography scanning revealed no evidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm or atheromatous plaque.

A thrombogenic etiology initially seemed more likely in this patient, given his known atrial fibrillation, the distal location of the embolic event, and its simultaneous onset in adjacent toes. However, when review of laboratory values confirmed consistently therapeutic anticoagulation and no cardioembolic source was found on transthoracic echocardiogram, attention shifted toward a possible atherogenic source.

Aortic atherosclerotic plaques are recognized as an important cause of lower extremity embolic disease.¹ Plaques may become dislodged and embolize during intravascular catheter procedures, but this patient had no such history. Warfarin use for prevention of embolic disease is well known, but some studies have noted that warfarin use also may be a cause of emboli.² It has been postulated that warfarin prevents clots from stabilizing injured atherosclerotic plaque surfaces, which then allows cholesterol contents to embolize.³

When the diagnostic work-up in this patient revealed no obvious thrombogenic etiology, the presumptive diagnosis was an atheromatous embolic event. Antibiotic therapy was stopped during hospitalization given the lack of apparent benefit. The patient was discharged with oral hydrocodone for pain relief. During the weeks after discharge, the patient’s pain slowly improved, but the purplish color of his toes persisted. A vascular surgery consult recommended continued outpatient pain management, with observation to see if toe amputation eventually would be required.

The differential diagnosis of the toe findings in this patient includes cellulitis, cryoglobulinemia, trauma, and warfarin skin necrosis. Cellulitis was unlikely, given the sharply demarcated border to the skin change, the absence of fever, and lack of response to antibiotic therapy. Cryoglobulinemia may lead to purpuric or gangrenous lesions in the distal extremities, and its incidence is increasing recently because of its association with hepatitis C infection. Skin lesions from cryoglobulinemia typically would be more widespread and be unlikely to affect only two adjacent toes. Trauma was unlikely given a negative history in a reliable patient and unremarkable radiographs. Warfarin skin necrosis typically occurs during the first few days of anticoagulation therapy and commonly appears in areas of adipose accumulation (i.e., breast, buttock, thigh). The patient had been receiving warfarin therapy for many months without previous complications.