Martorell's ulcer

Martorell's ulcer is a painful ulceration of the lower leg associated with diastolic arterial hypertension. It was first identified by the Spanish cardiologist Fernando Martorell in 1945,[1][2] who referred to the ulcers as 'hypertensive ischaemic ulcers'.[3][4]

It is characterized by single or multiple small homogeneous, symmetrical lesions, most commonly located on the anterolateral aspect of the lower leg. The pain associated to these lesions is often disproportionate to their size.[5]

The syndrome occurs predominantly in middle-aged women with poorly controlled hypertension in the form of skin ulcers on the anterolateral aspect of the lower legs. The lesions initially appear as small, painful blisters which may or may not be associated with trauma. The pathophysiology of the Martorell ulcer is assumed to be related to hypertension-induced arteriole changes in the dermis. The pain is often disproportionate, and the symptoms are not relieved by rest or elevation.[6]

References

  1. Palou, J (December 1955). "Lunbar Sympathectomy in the Treatment of Hypertensive Isehemic Ulcers of the Leg (Martorell's Syndrome)". Circulation. 12: 239–241. doi:10.1161/01.cir.12.2.239.
  2. "Fernando Martorell Otzet (1906-1984)". Angiologia. 36 (6): 267. 1984. PMID 6393826.
  3. Shutler, S. D.; Baragwanath, P.; Harding, K. G. (1995). "Martorell's ulcer". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 71 (842): 717–9. doi:10.1136/pgmj.71.842.717. PMC 2398295Freely accessible. PMID 8552533.
  4. Alonso, T (1954). "Diastolic arterial hypertension and ulcer of the leg: Martorell's syndrome". Lancet. 266 (6821): 1059. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(54)91622-0. PMID 13164326.
  5. Davison, Steven; Lee, Edward; Newton, Edward D (2003). "Martorell's Ulcer Revisited". Wounds. 15 (6). Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  6. De Andrés, José; Villanueva, Vicente L.; Mazzinari, Guido; Fabregat, Gustavo; Asensio, Juan Marcos; Monsalve, Vicente (2011). "Use of a spinal Cord Stimulator for Treatment of Martorell Hypertensive Ulcer". Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. 36 (1): 83–6. doi:10.1097/AAP.0b013e31820308b2. PMID 21455092.
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