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VOL. 10, ISSUE 3 (2024)
From crisis to cure: The journey of symmetrical peripheral gangrene in a female patient
Authors
Abhishek Kumar, Eram Nahid, Fahim Ahmad, Priyanka Gupta, Vikram Singh
Abstract
Despite its typically benign nature, Plasmodium vivax can
occasionally present as severe malaria. Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG),
characterized by distal ischemic changes without significant vascular
obstruction, is an infrequent complication linked to various infections,
medications, or underlying conditions. While SPG in malaria cases is rare, it
commonly associates with Plasmodium falciparum or mixed infections,
often accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This report
presents a distinctive case of isolated Plasmodium vivax malaria with
DIC and SPG, an exceedingly uncommon scenario. A 75-year-old female presented
in emergency with history of fever and severely painful blackening of her toes,
accompanied by feeble peripheral pulses. A diagnosis of SPG was made. During
the etiological evaluation, Plasmodium vivax malaria was identified as
the underlying cause, leading to DIC and subsequent development of this
complication. Treatment was initiated with antimalarials and other conservative
measures. Remarkably, the patient experienced a complete recovery without the
necessity of limb amputation. This case highlights the necessity of maintaining
a high index of suspicion for SPG in malaria patients to differentiate it from
other conditions. Early recognition and intervention are crucial in halting
gangrene progression and averting limb loss.
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Pages:34-36
How to cite this article:
Abhishek Kumar, Eram Nahid, Fahim Ahmad, Priyanka Gupta, Vikram Singh "From crisis to cure: The journey of symmetrical peripheral gangrene in a female patient". International Journal of Medical and Health Research, Vol 10, Issue 3, 2024, Pages 34-36
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