1990 Volume 53 Issue 4 Pages 200-206
The Raynaud phenomenon of fingers, a specific physical disturbance, frequently occurs in those who have used pneumatic vibrating tools such as chain saws for many years. Only a few pathological studies of this lesion have been reported although there are many clinical physiological studies. We conducted an autopsy of a 71-year-old man, who was a patient with cholecystocarcinoma and died of pneumonia. He had worked for 17 years using pneumatic vibrating tools and had been an out-patient of the surgical department, where he received physical treatment and spa therapy because he suffered from the Raynaud syndrome in his left fingers. The findings obtained from a microscopic observation of the finger tip skin of the corpse are summarized as follows:
1. Many dilated small arteries, accompanied by local thickening of the intima and torn medial elastic fibers, were noticed between the subpapillary and deep layer of the dermis.
2. Stenotic arterioles due to muscular hyperplasia of the media were relatively few.
3. Dilatation of capillaries was found in the subpapillary layer of the dermis, and dilatation of small veins, in the deep layer.
4. Atrophy was noticed in the peripheral neurofibers, Vater-Pacini corpuscles, and sweat glands.
5. The dermis showed sclerotic changes with marked diffuse fibrosis.
