title: Peripheral limb gangrene following rectal biopsy. Treatment with prostacyclin and exchange transfusion.
abstract: After a rectal biopsy, a 3-week-old boy developed centripetally progressive distal limb gangrene. This was accompanied by transient hypertension and high levels of circulating immune complexes. The ischemia was reversed by prostacyclin infusion, oral corticosteroids and multiple exchange transfusions.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, London, England.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Jani
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Brereton
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dillon
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D005734:Gangrene; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D011464:Epoprostenol