[Cholesterol crystal embolism].
Cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) is an infrequent entity that primarily appears in males over the age of 60 with generalized arteriosclerosis after angiographic procedures, vascular surgery or, more rarely, with oral anticoagulant treatment with heparin or with fibrinolytics. We present the case of a patient with several risk factors for CCE, who presented with the pathognomonic triad of leg and foot pain, livedo reticularis and palpable pedal pulses. The diagnosis was based on the fact that cholesterol crystals were seen in the arterioles in the skin biopsy. Due to the frequency with which the skin manifestations appear and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, an awareness of these crystals is fundamental in diagnosing these processes.
Servicio de Dermatología, Complejo Hospitalario Arquitecto Marcide-Profesor Novoa Santos, Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain. maitebordel@aedv.es
María T
MT
Bordel
Juan C
JC
Alvarez
María M
MM
Used
Félix
F
Carrasco
D000368:Aged; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male