VASCULAR DISORDERS OF THE HAND AND WRIST

DIAGNOSIS n Patients with vascular disorders of the hand typically present in one of three general categories:

1. Trauma  Acute, such as an arterial laceration  Delayed, such as a posttraumatic aneurysm

2. Ischemia  Acute, such as arterial embolism  Chronic, such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, inflammatory arteritis, atherosclerosis, or

thoracic outlet syndrome 3. Tumors  Congenital, such as an arteriovenous malformation  Acquired, such as a glomus tumor or malignancy

n History • Episodes of cold intolerance • Whole hand and/or fingertip numbness • Hand cramping with fine motor activities • Color changes in the hand • Previous fingertip wounds • Use of tobacco or other nicotine sources should be noted.