Korean J Med.
2002 Jul;63(1):79-84.
Two cases of severe cholesterol embolism after coronary angiography : Proven by skin biopsy
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. heartswjin@hanmail.net
- 2Department of Anatomical Pathology, The Catholic University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Cholesterol embolism is due to dislodgment of cholesterol crystals from the atheromatous aorta resulting in an occlusion of small arteries. Cholesterol emboli may occur spontaneously but usually develops as a complication of vascular procedures. The organs most frequently involved are the skin and the kidneys but any organ can be affected. Cutaneous manifestations include livedo reticularis, indurated firm violaceous painful plaques and noduli tending to show central necrosis and tender blue toes. We report two cases of cutaneous cholesterol embolization of lower extremities with the impairment of renal function after coronary angiography, proven by skin biopsy.
