Digital Ischemia as an Unusual Manifestation of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Abstract

Digital ischemia is associated with atherosclerotic, thromboembolic, or connective tissue diseases. Less often, it can be related to malignancy. Paraneoplastic vascular acrosyndromes (Raynaud’s syndrome, acrocianosis, and acronecrosis) are associated with adenocarcinoma and less frequently with hematological malignancies. We report the case of a 45-year-old male, smoker, with a 10-day history of pain, cyanosis, and progressive digital necrosis in both hands. In the previous four months, he noticed painless mass in the right axillary gap, drenching night sweats, and weight loss. Physical examination at admission highlighted necrotic lesions on the distal phalanges of both hands (except the thumbs), enlarged lymph nodes in right axillary, and right supraclavicular gaps. Arteriography of upper limbs demonstrated a distal stop in all bilateral digital arteries. Digital ischemia was interpreted as a paraneoplastic phenomenon after other common etiologies were ruled out. Amputation of three phalanges was required due to necrosis. Biopsy of axillary nodes demonstrated nodular sclerosis classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). The patient started conventional ABVD protocol (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine). After 6 cycles, he remained asymptomatic and symptoms of digital ischemia were completely resolved. It was concluded that the presence of acral vascular syndromes should alert the physician about the possibility of underlying malignant disease. Prompt investigation and treatment should be rapidly performed to avoid digital sequelae.