Abstract
Digital loss is the most serious and fearful complication of digital ulcers (DUs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). It may occur as a consequence of gangrene that leads to an autoamputation or to surgical amputation or as a result of amputation performed for other reasons, as severe osteomyelitis.
It has been estimated that 5–10% of all SSc patients develops gangrene or undergo amputation (Steen et al. Rheumatology (Oxford) 48(Suppl 3):S19–S24, 2009; Poormoghim et al. Rheumatol Int 33(8):1943–1950, 2013; Muangchan et al. J Rheumatol 40(9):1545–1556, 2013). The risk of gangrene and amputation increases to 20% in patients with DUs (Denton et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012;71(5):718-21; Hachulla et al. J Rheumatol 2007;34:2423–30; Allanore et al. Ann Rheum Dis2015;74(Suppl2): 818), while the incidence of amputation ranges from 1% to 2% of patients/year (Denton et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2012;71(5):718-21; Hachulla et al. J Rheumatol 2007;34:2423–30).
This chapter will describe causes and features of gangrene which represents the major cause of digital loss in SSc, as well as causes and complications of amputation and autoamputation.
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Blagojevic, J. (2019). Digital Loss (Gangrene, Amputation, Autoamputation). In: Matucci-Cerinic, M., Denton, C. (eds) Atlas of Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98477-3_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98477-3_11
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