Rare cause of bilateral foot gangrene: coexisting essential cryofibrogenaemia and cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis.

Cryofibrinogenaemia is a rare haematological disorder characterised by cold temperature-induced precipitation of plasma proteins causing small-vessel occlusive vascular disorder with a hallmark of skin ulceration. It remains an underdiagnosed entity because of a lack of diagnostic criteria. Cryoglobulinaemia vasculitis is a small-vessel vasculitis involving the skin, the joints, the peripheral nerve system and the kidneys. Its association with cryofibrinogenaemia causes more severe phenotype with poor prognosis. We describe the case of a 59-year-old woman presenting with cold-induced extensive bilateral foot gangrene due to coexisting cryofibrinogenaemia and cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis that required bilateral amputation and rituximab perfusions as maintenance therapy.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
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