CASE 03 • General examination • FREE SAMPLE
Blue Lips, Blue Fingers
What is the most likely spot diagnosis?
Study the morphology and distribution in the photograph before revealing the answer.
Central cyanosis
Why this fits:
Bluish discoloration involving lips and extremities suggests increased deoxygenated haemoglobin; mucosal involvement supports central cyanosis.
Bluish discoloration involving lips and extremities suggests increased deoxygenated haemoglobin; mucosal involvement supports central cyanosis.
Important differential:
Assess oxygen saturation, ABG when needed, cardiopulmonary causes and dyshemoglobinaemia if the clinical picture is discordant.
Assess oxygen saturation, ABG when needed, cardiopulmonary causes and dyshemoglobinaemia if the clinical picture is discordant.
Important key point:
Do not rely on colour alone in anaemia, polycythaemia or poor lighting.
Do not rely on colour alone in anaemia, polycythaemia or poor lighting.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons file page — review the file page for author, original source and licence.