Sympathectomy-induced ichthyosis-like eruption

An 80‐year‐old African–American man, with a past medical history of childhood rheumatic fever, hypertension, coronary artery disease, unstable angina, and asbestosis, underwent cardiac catheterization 37 years ago for unstable angina. The postcatheterization course was complicated by a right brachial arterial thrombosis. A venous brachial bypass graft was placed, with vascular supply to the affected arm restored. Postbypass, the patient recovered full use of the arm, but suffered from persistent arm pain. Surgical sympathectomy was performed 1 year later. The patient has been pain‐free since, but noted soon after sympathectomy, unilateral scaly dry skin, unilateral hypohidrosis of the axilla, and increased temperature sensitivity on the affected limb. In the 37 subsequent years, despite application of emollients, he reported no significant improvements or changes in the skin findings. The patient denied that other family members suffered from similar skin problems. He denied ever having atopy or other skin problems prior to the current episode. On physical examination, dry plate‐like scales were seen on the dorsum of the right hand ( Fig. 1A,B ), right shoulder, and upper back, extending to the midline ( Fig. 1C ), in an area of distribution supplied by the injured nerves. Mild follicular prominence of the affected extensor arm was also seen as compared with the uninvolved arm (not shown).

Figure 1 Open in figure viewer PowerPoint Patient with fish‐like fine scales on the right hand (a) which are absent on the left hand. (b) Close‐up view of the fish‐like scales on the affected hand. (c) Posterior trunk and shoulder demonstrating ichthyosiform change extending to the midline