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Review
. 2019 Oct 22;48(1):52.
doi: 10.1186/s40463-019-0369-0.

A case report of severe nasal ischemia from cold agglutinin disease and a novel treatment protocol including HBOT

Scott Kohlert  1   2 , Laurie McLean  3   4 , Dimitrios Scarvelis  5 , Calvin Thompson  4   6
Affiliations
Review

A case report of severe nasal ischemia from cold agglutinin disease and a novel treatment protocol including HBOT

Scott Kohlert et al. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. .

Abstract

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare condition leading to blood agglutination and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Cutaneous ischemia resulting from CAD in the head and neck is uncommon. Treatment regimens and outcomes vary widely in the literature and no clear protocol exists. This manuscript describes a patient with CAD who developed severe ischemia of the nose that resolved completely without sequellae following a medical regimen of aspirin, low molecular weight heparin, nitroglycerin ointment and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case where nitroglycerin ointment or HBOT was successfully employed in the treatment of this complication.

Keywords: Acrocyanosis; Cold agglutinin disease; Hyperbaric oxygen; Nasal ischemia.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Post-admission day #1
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Significant worsening by post-admission day #3
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Significant improvement by post-admission day #15
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Progression of nasal ischemia throughout treatment course
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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