Acrocyanosis

Overview
Acrocyanosis refer to a persistent blue or cyanotic discoloration of the digits, most commonly occurring in the hands although also occurring in the face and feet as well. For the purpose of discussion, it may be further broken into:


 * Acrocyanosis (benign) - The more common condition that requires little, if any, medical intervention.
 * Acrocyanosis (not benign) - A sign that may allude to a more serious medical problem.

Localized peripheral cyanosis

 * Raynaud’s syndrome
 * Vegetative vasomotoric hyperexcitability
 * Venous thrombosis
 * Peripheral arterial occlusive disease
 * Constitutional acrocyanosis
 * Cold agglutinin disease
 * Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
 * Perniosis
 * Acrodynia (Feer’s disease)
 * Waldenström’s syndrome

Congenital cardiac defect with right-to left shunt

 * Tetralogy of Fallot
 * Patent ductus arteriosus
 * Acquired cardiac defects
 * Cor pulmonale
 * Left ventricular failure
 * Mitral stenosis
 * Congestive cardiomyopathy
 * Mitral valve insufficiency

Pulmonary

 * Chronic bronchitis
 * COPD
 * Pulmonary emphysema
 * Pulmonary fibrosis
 * Bronchiectasis

Complete Differential Diagnosis of Causes of

 * Acquired cardiac defects
 * Bronchiectasis
 * Chronic bronchitis
 * Cardiomyopathy
 * Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
 * Cold Agglutinin Disease
 * Congenital Heart Disease
 * Congestive Heart Failure
 * Constitutional acrocyanosis
 * Cor Pulmonale
 * Feer's disease (acrodynia)
 * Mitral Stenosis
 * Mitral Valve Insufficiency
 * Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
 * Patent Ductus Arteriosus
 * Perniosis
 * Peripheral Arterial Disease
 * Pulmonary Emphysema
 * Pulmonary Fibrosis
 * Raynaud's Syndrome
 * Tetralogy of Fallot
 * Vegetative vasomotoric hyperexcitability
 * Venous thrombosis
 * Waldenstrom's Syndrome

Pathological Findings
Images courtesy of Professor Peter Anderson DVM PhD and published with permission © PEIR, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Pathology

Akrozyanose Acrocyanose Acrocyanose Acrocianose Akrosyanoosi