Cholesterol embolism

Abstract

Two patients with advanced atherosclerotic vascular disease developed multiple cholesterol emboli. In both patients the clinical presentation included livedo reticularis of the lower part of the body and purple toes with small areas of distal necrosis and ulceration. The predisposing factors are operative vascular procedures and the use of anticoagulants respectively. Biopsy of skin lesions revealed characteristic cholesterol clefts within atheromatous debris filling small, deep arterial lumen. Multiple cholesterol emboli should be suspected in presence of cutaneous lesions and confirmed histologically in the appropriate clinical setting.