Published online May 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i10.1103
Peer-review started: January 15, 2019
First decision: March 10, 2019
Revised: April 29, 2019
Accepted: May 1, 2019
Article in press: May 1, 2019
Published online: May 26, 2019
Processing time: 131 Days and 11.9 Hours
Achenbach’s syndrome is often characterized by a sudden onset of pain and bruising in the fingers. The etiology and clinical course of this syndrome are unknown. In fact, this syndrome is seen commonly in the clinic, but the lack of a known morbidity and mortality lead to a neglect of diagnosis and treatment. In our retrospective study from different centers, detailed data were obtained about Achenbach’s syndrome.
Achenbach’s syndrome is rarely diagnosed but is commonly seen in clinical practice. As the awareness of the syndrome increases, it will be revealed that it is seen much more than it was once thought.
In this study, we aimed to determine the symptoms, laboratory values, and clinical characteristics of patients with Achenbach’s syndrome. It was aimed to compare the obtained data with the current literature.
Twenty-four patients who were diagnosed with Achenbach’s syndrome in different centers between 2016 and 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The sociodemographic data, laboratory values, and clinical characteristics of the patients were compared with the literature.
In this study, patients diagnosed with Achenbach’s syndrome were retrospectively evaluated, and 83.33% of the patients were female. This rate was 5 times higher than male patients. There was no pathology in the bleeding profiles of the patients. No pathology was detected by pulse oximetry of the bruising finger in any patient. All patients had pain and bruising of their fingers. The most frequently affected side was the upper right extremity and the index finger.
The bruising in the fingers was not characterized by impaired circulation and oxygenation. Therefore, we hypothesized the syndrome is a venous disease. Although the most common place of this syndrome is the fingers, the condition of the brain and other vital organs is unknown. Achenbach’s syndrome needs an algorithm for diagnosis and treatment.
Achenbach’s syndrome should be kept in mind if a patient suddenly has a bruised finger. An algorithm should be created for diagnosis and treatment of Achenbach’s syndrome. Other features of the Achenbach’s syndrome should be revealed in a multidisciplinary approach.