title: [Paroxysmal finger haematoma (Achenbach syndrome)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paroxysmal finger haematoma (also known as "Achenbach syndrome") is a benign condition resulting in the sudden appearance of bruising on one or more fingers, either spontaneously or after minimal trauma, and resolving without treatment. To date, less than 40 cases have been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two cases of women aged over 50 years presenting for sudden onset of digital haematomas occurring spontaneously without any prior trauma. Laboratory and radiological tests appeared to be normal for both patients. History-taking and clinical and laboratory data pointed towards a diagnosis of spontaneous paroxysmal finger haematoma. Each episode resolved spontaneously but, as is generally seen, recurrences occurred during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the absence of known aetiologies and/or treatments for spontaneous paroxysmal finger haematomas, a knowledge of this rare condition can at least help doctors reassure their patients by diagnosing their condition and pointing out the benign nature thereof. It also helps avoid costly and unwarranted additional investigations.
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, CHU Henri-Mondor, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-lattre-de-Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France. Electronic address: osigha@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sigha
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Josselin
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne, hôpital Saint-Antoine, 184, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gatfosse
authors.affiliation: Service de dermatologie, CHU Henri-Mondor, 51, avenue du Maréchal-de-lattre-de-Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France; Université Paris-Est Créteil, UPEC, 8, rue du Général-Sarrail, 94000 Créteil, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fardet
mesh_terms: D004438:Ecchymosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Achenbach syndrome; Hématomes digitaux spontanés paroxystiques; Paroxysmal finger haematomas; Syndrome d’Achenbach