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Sneddon syndrome: under diagnosed disease, complex clinical manifestations and challenging diagnosis. A case-based review

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Abstract

Herein, we report a case-based review of the Sneddon Syndrome (SS), a rare chronic condition which affects small to medium blood vessels. It is known by its skin presentation, livedo racemosa (LRC), and the relapsing cerebrovascular events. However, neither LRC nor cerebrovascular events are exclusive to SS. A 36-year-old female with history of mitral valve prolapse, hypothyroidism, Raynaud phenomenon, hypertension, migraines, and four episodes of transient ischemic attacks (TIA), presented to our clinic with new skin findings, suggestive of LRC. Based on her previous history, current presentation and skin biopsy results, she was diagnosed with SS secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome. The present report illustrates the difficulty in recognizing SS and how the heterogeneity of the disease may be contributing to the difficulty making a distinct diagnosis.

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Funding

This case-based review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. This research was supported (in whole or in part) by HCA Healthcare and/or an HCA Healthcare affiliated entity. The views expressed in this publication represent those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of HCA Healthcare or any of its affiliated entities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Steve S. Kong

  2. University of Central Florida HCA Healthcare GME, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA

    Azin Azarfar

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Azin Azarfar & Neha Bhanusali

Authors
  1. Steve S. Kong
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  2. Azin Azarfar
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  3. Neha Bhanusali
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception, design, and manuscript writing. SSK: data collection and review of patients’ data, writing of manuscript including editing and revisions, and literature review at all stages of its production. AA: review of patients’ data, writing of manuscript including editing and revisions, and literature review at all stages of its production. NB: data collection and review of patients’ data, writing of manuscript including editing and revisions, and literature review at all stages of its production. All authors take full responsibility for all aspects of the study and the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Azin Azarfar.

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This is a case report and a literature review and it did not involve any human/and or animal participants.

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Kong, S.S., Azarfar, A. & Bhanusali, N. Sneddon syndrome: under diagnosed disease, complex clinical manifestations and challenging diagnosis. A case-based review. Rheumatol Int 41, 987–991 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-020-04625-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-020-04625-1

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