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Definition: Vasospastic disease showing special Raynaud phenomenon (pallor followed by cyanosis then redness).
Aetiology:
 Sympathetic over tone.
 Local arterial fault e.g. endarteritis obliterans.
Pathology:
The phenomenon can be explained as follow:
 Exposure to cold or emotional stress  severe arterial spasm  blanching.
 The anoxia occurs resulting in paralysis of the pre capillary sphincters  stagnation of anoxic blood in the capillary spaces  cyanosis.
 When the anoxic blood become oxygenated it gives the red colour  redness.
 The capillary sphincters regains its normal tone  Normal colour again.
Clinical Picture:
 The disease usually affect young adult female who is usually emotionally unstable.
 It is usually bilateral & symmetrical affecting the fingers or toes. and rarely affect the nose and ears.
 The Raynaud's phenomenon may occur in other diseases as Burger's Disease., cervical rib, atherosclerosis & collagen disease But the pnt usually male of old age and the condition may be unilateral and Exposure to cold not essential as a precipitating factor.
Treatment:
 Psychotherapy & protection from cold.
 Bilateral  cervical sympathectomy with varying results.
Raynaud's phenomenon
The same changes may occur due to:
   Trauma, arteriosclerosclerosis, Buerger’s disease, cervical arteritis
   Certain collagen diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, disseminated lupus and dermatomyositis
Raynaud’s phenomenon differs from raynaud’s disease in certain aspects:
   Any age may be affected
   Unilateral affection is commoner
   The feet are affected as frequently as the hands
   The role of motion is not so significant as in Raynaud’s disease
   Ulceration is rarely seen, although pain is usually a more prominent symptom
Although the symptoms usually respond to upper thoracic sympathectomy, the cause must be looked for and dealt with

SOURCE: DR AYMAN SALEM'S BOOK