Spontaneous Blue Finger Syndrome: A Benign Process

While isolated acute blue discoloration of a finger may be secondary to acute ischemia or vasospasm and underlying systemic illness, some cases are neither dangerous nor signify a systemic condition.

A 46-year-old woman experienced 3 episodes of acute finger discoloration over 2 years. The first episode involved a spontaneous, nontraumatic, nonpainful purple “lump” at the base of the 4th finger. As an embolic phenomenon was suspected, transthoracic echocardiography was performed and was normal. She was discharged on aspirin 81 mg daily. The lesion resolved within several days. A second episode, 22 months later, involved the palmar aspect of the distal phalanx of her right thumb becoming spontaneously red and tender.

To read this article in its entirety, please visit our website.

— Ido Weinberg, MD, MSc, MHA, Michael R. Jaff, DO

This article originally appeared in January 2012 issue of The American Journal of Medicine.