EXCLI Journal : Experimental and Clinical Sciences (Oct 2021)

Raynaud’s phenomenon in a drummer player

  • Maria Maddalena Sirufo,
  • Alessandra Catalogna,
  • Francesca De Pietro,
  • Lia Ginaldi,
  • Massimo De Martinis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4208
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20
pp. 1526 – 1531

Abstract

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Drummers are usually exposed to intensive physical stress and occupational diseases that have been only partially investigated. The majority of studies focus on musculoskeletal problems while microvascular abnormalities have been less considered. We report on a case of a 19-year-old drummer affected by Raynaud's phenomenon. The patient underwent nailfold video capillaroscopy that showed a non-specific pattern, with granular flow, dyshomogeneous capillary morphology, increased efferent/afferent loop ratio and many enlarged capillaries. The continuous exposition to vibration in drummers could determinate microvascular abnormalities with related cold induced disorders and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Nailfold video capillaroscopy is a tool that allows to detect the alterations of the microcirculation and to carry out the follow-up of the patients with low cost, non-invasiveness, repeatability, high sensibility and specificity.

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