An autopsy case of idiopathic cholesterol embolism

摘要

An 80-year-old man with a clinical history of atherosclerosis was admitted showing rapidly progressive renal failure. The serum creatinine had increased from 2.2 to 7.3 mg/dl over a 2-month period. Physical examination revealed livedo reticularis associated with bluish-purple discoloration of the toes (Fig. 1a). Laboratory examinations showed eosinophilia (1120/μl) and elevated C-reactive protein (10.81 mg/dl). Skin biopsy of the toe revealed obstructive cholesterol crystals within arterioles (Fig. 1b）