A Case of Trauma-Induced Arterial Thrombosis Mimicking Vasculitis

Abstract

Vasculitis mimickers are structural or pathologic entities that resemble the vasculitis clinical presentation and/or diagnostic findings. Their presence can be a conundrum, and physicians require careful assessment and adequate knowledge physicians when considering a diagnosis of vasculitis. Although they are considered mimickers, the therapeutic approach for most of them differs widely from that of vasculitis as high-dose steroids and potent immunosuppressive regimens are usually indicated in the latter. In fact, steroid therapy is contraindicated and is considered harmful in some of these mimickers (e.g. segmental arterial mediolysis). Therefore, it is important to distinguish them from vasculitis to prevent complications from immunosuppressive therapy. Hereby, we present a challenging case of a 64-year-old man who presented with acute gangrenous changes on his right fingers due to arterial thrombus after trauma resembling vasculitis.

A Case Series on Acute Mesenteric Ischemia (AMI) Leading to Intestinal Gangrene Following Blunt Trauma to the Abdomen

“…Through improved oxygen extraction and perfusion brought on by vasodilation, the intestines can self-regulate their oxygen availability [ 4 ]. Mesenteric ischemia is not observed until the patient's mean arterial pressure falls below 45 mmHg [ 5 ]. A 75% drop in mesenteric blood flow can be sustained by the small intestine for up to 12 hours [ 6 ].…”

Post traumatic arterial occlusive mesenteric ischemia: a rare case report

“…Causes of acute mesenteric arterial ischemia include the following: cardiac emboli due to conditions like arrhythmia, recent MI or valvular disease; atherosclerotic vascular disease emboli; decreased cardiac output from chronic heart failure or myocardial infarction and dehydration [4] . Post traumatic venous thrombosis is a known complication after trauma but arterial thrombosis after trauma is rarely reported [5] . In this report, we describe a case of acute SMA occlusion after blunt abdominal trauma leading to small bowel infarction.…”