Cholesterol Embolism: Diagnosis Antemortem by Bone Marrow Biopsy
Authors: J. RUSH PIERCE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Brief Reports1 December 1978Cholesterol Embolism: Diagnosis Antemortem by Bone Marrow BiopsyJ. RUSH PIERCE Jr., M.D., MICHAEL V. WREN, M.D., JOHN B. COUSAR Jr., M.D.J. RUSH PIERCE Jr., M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MICHAEL V. WREN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN B. COUSAR Jr., M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-89-6-937 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptWidespread cholesterol microembolism from atherosclerotic plaques may produce a multisystem illness resembling polyarteritis, allergic vasculitis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, or left atrial myxoma. The syndrome is characterized by hypertension, acute or chronic renal failure, neurologic abnormalities, retinal emboli, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, pancreatitis, and ischemic changes of the feet and legs such as purpura, livedo reticularis, gangrene, and nonhealing ulceration despite adequate arterial pulses (1). The diagnostic dilemma may be confounded by the frequent finding in cholesterol embolization of leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Characteristic yellow cholesterol emboli may be seen in retinal arteries (1). In previous reports antemortem diagnosis has...References1. RETAN J and MILLER R: Microembolic complications of atherosclerosis. Arch Intern Med 118:534-545, 1966 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. ANDERSON W and RICHARDS A: Evaluation of lower extremity muscle biopsies in the diagnosis of atheroembolism. Arch Pathol 86:535-541, 1968 MedlineGoogle Scholar3. RICHARDS A, ELIOT R, KANJUH V, BLOEMENDAAL R, and EDWARDS J: Cholesterol embolism, a multisystem disease masquerading as polyarteritis nodosa. Am J Cardiol 15:696-707, 1965 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. BOURDAGES R, PRENTICE R, BECK I, DACOSTA L, and PALOSCHI G: Atheromatous embolization to the stomach, an unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Am J Dig Dis 21:889-894, 1976 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. KNECHTGES T and DEFEVER B: Cholesterol emboli in transurethral curettings, report of four cases. J Urol 114:102-106, 1975 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GORE I and COLLINS D: Spontaneous atheromatous embolization, review of the literature and a report of 16 additional cases. Am J Clin Pathol 33:416-426, 1960 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. MAURIZI C, BARKER A, and TRUEHEART R: Atheromatous emboli, a postmortem study with special reference to the lower extremities. Arch Pathol 86:528-534, 1968 MedlineGoogle Scholar8. CARVAJAL J, ANDERSON W, WEISS L, GRISMER J, and BERMAN R: Atheroembolism an etiologic factor in renal insufficiency, gastrointestinal hemorrhages, and peripheral vascular diseases. Arch Intern Med 119:593-599, 1967 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: J. RUSH PIERCEJr., M.D.; MICHAEL V. WREN, M.D.; JOHN B. COUSARJr., M.D.Affiliations: Veterans Administration Hospital Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville, Tennessee PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byMISCELLANEOUS DISORDERSBone marrowSpontaneous Cholesterol Crystal Embolization to Bone MarrowSpontaneous cholesterol embolization complicated by pulmonary fat embolismCholesterol crystal embolismCholesterol Embolism in Intensive Care PatientsSystemic cholesterol microembolization syndrome masquerading as giant cell arteritisAtheroemboli to the lower urinary tract: A marker of atherosclerotic vascular disease—A case reportPurpuraCholesterol Crystal Embolization: A Review of 221 Cases in the English LiteratureMonozyten-Makrophagen-System (retikuloendotheliales System)The "Blue Toe" Syndrome with Renal Atheroembolism and FailureCholesterol embolism as a complication of left heart catheterisation. Report of seven cases.Painless diarrhea secondary to intestinal ischemia. Diagnosis of atheromatous emboli by jejunal biopsyCase 4-1984Furans, Thiophenes and Selenophenes with Fused Six-membered Heterocyclic RingsVolume 4 ReferencesRenal Disease in the Geriatric PatientCyanotic feet and renal failure in a 67-year-old manThe clinical spectrum of renal cholesterol embolizationIschemic gastritis and duodenitisCholesterol Embolism in Bone MarrowARKADI M. RYWLIN, M.D. 1 December 1978Volume 89, Issue 6Page: 937-938KeywordsCholesterolErythrocyte sedimentation rateGastrointestinal hemorrhageHypercholesterolemiaHypertensionLeukocytosisPancreatitisRenal failureUlcersVasculitis ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...