Secondary Acrocyanosis in a Paraplegic Patient With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Secondary acrocyanosis after spinal cord injury is extremely rare. We describe a case with secondary acrocyanosis in a complete T12 paraplegic patient. A 41-year-old man with complete T12 paraplegia after a gunshot wound to the thoracic spine 20 years prior presented with a four-month history of bilateral foot bluish discoloration precipitated when he sat with his legs down, improving rapidly after a few minutes of leg elevation. Changes in the skin color of the lower extremities were evaluated in the seated position for two hours. The skin color became darker, progressing to a bluish discoloration through the entire length of the legs. After two hours, the feet and most of the legs appeared deep purple. The color of the legs returned to their baseline three minutes later after the patient was placed supine in the bed. The diagnosis of secondary acrocyanosis due to the T12 spinal cord injury was established based on the physical examination and ancillary tests showing no peripheral ischemia. Other causes of secondary acrocyanosis were excluded during the work-up. This report presents the first case of a paraplegic patient with spinal cord injury presenting secondary acrocyanosis.