Paroxysmal Finger Hematoma-A Probable Vascular Disorder in Post-COVID-19 Condition: Two Clinical Case Presentations

Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Jul 10;58(7):915. doi: 10.3390/medicina58070915.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Achenbach's syndrome is usually a benign, self-limiting clinical condition presented with finger discoloration, pain, and edema. Etiology, pathogenesis, and incidence remain unknown due to the variety of clinical features and the diversity of disease states leading to digital ischemia. COVID-19 primarily affects microcirculation, causing endothelial damage and disseminated microthrombosis. Materials and Methods: We reviewed two cases of Caucasian women with Achenbach's syndrome after COVID-19 infection recovery between April and May 2021. Results: Here are presented two extremely rare cases of paroxysmal finger hematoma in two female patients after COVID-19 infection recovery. Conclusions: The exact etiology and pathophysiology of Achenbach's syndrome remain unclear. It is assumed that SARS-CoV-2 infection could be the triggering factor in the pathophysiological mechanism of paroxysmal finger hematoma. We highly recommend the implication of the synthetic prostacyclin receptor agonist (Iloprost) as a first-line conservative treatment in patients with Achenbach's syndrome and COVID-19 infection recovery.

Keywords: Achenbach’s syndrome; endothelial dysfunction; paroxysmal finger hematoma; post-COVID-19; vascular disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Female
  • Fingers
  • Hematoma / complications
  • Humans
  • Rare Diseases / pathology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Syndrome
  • Vascular Diseases*

Grants and funding

This research has been supported by Projects No 13/2020 and 4/2022, Medical Faculty, Trakia University, Bulgaria.