Stanozolol causes rapid pain relief and healing of cutaneous ulcers caused by cryofibrinogenemia.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous manifestations of cryofibrinogenemia include purpura, ecchymosis, and ulcerations. The histology of these lesions is characterized by intravascular thrombi.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to test the efficacy of stanozolol, a drug capable of fibrinolytic enhancement, in treating cutaneous ulcers caused by cryofibrinogenemia.


METHODS
Eight patients with cutaneous ulcerations from cryofibrinogenemia were treated with stanozolol. Plasma cryofibrinogen was measured before and during treatment with stanozolol. Histologic evaluation was also performed before treatment and in selected patients during treatment.


RESULTS
After treatment, seven of the eight patients had healing of their ulcers, prompt reduction in their pain, and improvement in livedo reticularis and purpura. Four of the eight patients had no detectable plasma cryofibrinogen after treatment. In addition, dermal intravascular thrombi resolved. Stanozolol was well tolerated and had minimal side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that stanozolol is a safe and effective treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of cryofibrinogenemia.
Kirsner
R S
RS
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33136.
Eaglstein
W H
WH
Katz
M H
MH
Kerdel
F A
FA
Falanga
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000150:complications; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D015241:Fibrinogens, Abnormal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013197:Stanozolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D003450:Cryoglobulins; D015241:Fibrinogens, Abnormal; C041874:cryofibrinogen; D013197:Stanozolol; D005340:Fibrinogen