A 77-year-old woman with sudden onset of blue discolouration of right third toe

J Tang, PS Cheung
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong


We report on a 77-year-old woman with a history of peripheral vascular disease who presented with an acute-onset tender blue toe and deteriorating renal function. A clinical diagnosis of blue toe syndrome was made but the patient deteriorated rapidly and died. This case illustrates the rapidly devastating nature and fatality of blue toe syndrome. There is no effective treatment for this condition.

Hong Kong Med J 2006;12:77-9

Key words: Arteriosclerosis; Blue toe syndrome; Embolism, cholesterol