PERNIOSIS OR ERYTHROCYANOSIS

Abstract

Within the last ten years, a number of authors in the north and west of Europe have occupied themselves with a clinical picture to which nearly every third one gave a different name. We are referring to a change in the skin arising mainly from a disturbance of the vascular formation which results in a discoloration varying from red to dark blue and, in some cases, followed by blisters and ulceration. This condition was first observed on the calves of young girls and women in connection with the present fashions in dress. One of us (V. K.¹) drew attention to it as early as 1921. The descriptive designations generally give a comprehensive survey of the situation of the disease; e.g., erythrocyanosis crurum puellarum, erythrocyanosis susmalléollaire, erythrocyanosis cutis symmetrica. Other designations, such as oedème asphyxique symmétrique on the legs of young girls, oedème strumeux, chronic indurative erythema of the legs,