[A POEMS syndrome revealed by a blue toe syndrome]

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial and venous thromboses occur in almost one in five patients with POEMS syndrome and usually in macrocirculation.

Case report: We report a 67-year-old male with a POEMS syndrome who presented initially with a blue toe syndrome. He complained of Raynaud's syndrome and left foot paresthesia. Physical examination showed gynecomastia, lymphadenopathies and skin lesions. Cardiovascular investigations excluded atrial fibrillation, unstable atherosclerotic lesions and vascular calcifications. Imaging studies showed diffuse osteosclerotic lesions. Monoclonal protein with lambda light chain was discovered and serum level of VEGF was increased at 2900pg/ml.

Conclusion: This is to our knowledge the first case of thrombotic microangiopathy in POEMS syndrome without embolic cause or calciphylaxis.

Keywords: Blue toe syndrome; Microangiopathie; Microangiopathy; POEMS syndrome; Syndrome POEMS; Syndrome des orteils bleus; VEGF.