Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (32)

Autoerythrocyte sensitization in Adult
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Autoerythrocyte sensitization in Adult

Contributors: Daniel Yanes MD, Anne Seidler MD, MBA, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Autoerythrocyte sensitization, also known as Gardner-Diamond syndrome or psychogenic purpura, was initially described by Gardner and Diamond in 1955 as an abnormal response to bruising. The designation "autoerythrocyte sensitization" is from this and other early reports that patients seemed to react to an intradermal injection of their own erythrocytes. However, later reports were not able to confirm this finding consistently.

The disorder is characterized by bruising without clear precipitating causes or definite trauma. Women are most frequently affected. The painful bruises vary in size and may have peculiar or geometric shapes. Bruising is most commonly seen on the lower extremities, but other sites of involvement have been reported. Associated symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Prodromal symptoms such as pain, warmth, or itching at the site prior to the bruising have been described. The bruises resolve in approximately 2 weeks but recur.

The etiology of autoerythrocyte sensitization is unknown. Reported associations include the presence of a psychiatric disorder (including depression, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety), a preceding traumatic event (such as a procedure or surgery up to 2 years prior to the onset of symptoms), or severe psychosocial stress (such as marital conflicts, or death or illness of a family member).

Codes

ICD10CM:
D69.2 – Other nonthrombocytopenic purpura

SNOMEDCT:
275446004 – Gardner-Diamond syndrome

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:12/12/2019
Last Updated:01/26/2020
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Autoerythrocyte sensitization in Adult
A medical illustration showing key findings of Autoerythrocyte sensitization : Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Headache, Nausea, Emotional stress or trauma, Painful skin lesions, Ecchymosis, Recurring episodes
Clinical image of Autoerythrocyte sensitization - imageId=546204. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A large ecchymotic plaque on the leg.'
A large ecchymotic plaque on the leg.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.