BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pernio (chilblains) is an inflammatory condition classically characterized by localized erythema and swelling of acral sites upon exposure to cool and damp conditions. We sought to determine whether cold-induced vasospasm has a role in the development of pernio. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 5 patients with pernio who were seen at our institution between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2011, and had undergone a noninvasive arterial vascular study of the upper extremities that corresponded to a site of clinical involvement of pernio and who had also undergone vasospastic testing and ice water immersion as part of the noninvasive arterial vascular study protocol. RESULTS: Vascular testing in all patients (mean age 37.8 years; 4 women) demonstrated vasospasm with ice water immersion. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that vasospasm likely has a role in the pathophysiology of pernio and may also provide a rationale for the pharmacological treatment of vasospasm in patients with pernio.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pernio (chilblains) is an inflammatory condition classically characterized by localized erythema and swelling of acral sites upon exposure to cool and damp conditions. We sought to determine whether cold-induced vasospasm has a role in the development of pernio. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 5 patients with pernio who were seen at our institution between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2011, and had undergone a noninvasive arterial vascular study of the upper extremities that corresponded to a site of clinical involvement of pernio and who had also undergone vasospastic testing and ice water immersion as part of the noninvasive arterial vascular study protocol. RESULTS: Vascular testing in all patients (mean age 37.8 years; 4 women) demonstrated vasospasm with ice water immersion. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that vasospasm likely has a role in the pathophysiology of pernio and may also provide a rationale for the pharmacological treatment of vasospasm in patients with pernio.
Authors: David Andina; Lucero Noguera-Morel; Marta Bascuas-Arribas; Jara Gaitero-Tristán; José Antonio Alonso-Cadenas; Silvia Escalada-Pellitero; Ángela Hernández-Martín; Mercedes de la Torre-Espi; Isabel Colmenero; Antonio Torrelo Journal: Pediatr Dermatol Date: 2020-05-22 Impact factor: 1.997