Thromboangiitis obliterans: A rare cause of a reversible Raynaud's phenomenon

A 25-year-old woman with progressive Raynaud's phenomenon and digital necro sis is presented. Systemic sclerosis and other connective tissue disorders as well as atherosclerosis and arterial emboli were excluded with appropria te laboratory examinations. Arteriography revealed multiple palmar and digi tal occlusions with corkscrew-shaped vessels. Based on these characteristic arteriographic and clinical findings, the diagnosis of thromboangiitis obl iterans was finally retained, With intravenous perfusion of the prostacycli n analogue iloprost (2 ng/kg/min, 6 h daily during 21 days), a complete hea ling of Raynaud's phenomenon and of the digital necrosis was observed. Ther e was no recurrence during the 1-year follow-up. This observation demonstra tes that thromboangiitis obliterans is a potential reversible cause of seve re Raynaud's phenomenon in young women even in the absence of lower limb in volvement. Early recognition is important to avoid irreversible complicatio ns such as loss of digits. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.