Asphyxia Localis Symmetrica

ASPHYXIA LOCALIS SYMMETRICA, symmetrical local asphyxia (suffocation), Raynaud's disease (Raynaud, 1861), refers to angiotrophoneuroses (see). A whole series of transitions can be outlined—from numbness of the fingers, acroparesthesias, acrocyanosis (blueness of the extremities) to Raynaud's disease in the narrow sense and, further, to spontaneous symmetrical gangrene. [On a separate table (see volume I, article 659-660) is depicted a bluish hand with Asphyxia Localis Symmetrica with trophic changes of the nails.] The basis of Asphyxia Localis Symmetrica is vasospasm (angiospasm), hence—paleness, blueness, disturbance of nutrition of tissues, death and dry gangrene of the affected parts. The causes of Asphyxia Localis Symmetrica are unclear [infections, poisonings (nicotine, ergot, ergotism), cooling, mental shocks]. Usually the fingers of the hands are affected. Severe pains are often observed. The course of the disease is prolonged, in episodes. Differential diagnosis—with erythromelalgia (the opposite of Raynaud's disease), syringomyelia, scleroderma, etc. Asphyxia Localis Symmetrica can also be observed as a symptom-complex in various diseases. Treatment—first of all preventive (prohibit tobacco, alcohol); in addition, the following are recommended: improvement of nutrition, strengthening agents, warm climate, baths, local d'arsonvalization, surgical intervention.