Osler's node

Osler's nodes are painful, red, raised lesions found on the hands and feet. They are associated with a number of conditions, including infective endocarditis, and are caused by immune complex deposition. Their presence is one definition of Osler's sign.[1]

Not to be confused with Janeway lesion.
Osler's node
Osler's lesions found on the hand and fingers of a 43-year-old male with subacute bacterial endocarditis
Differential diagnosisinfective endocarditis

Causes

Osler's nodes result from the deposition of immune complexes.[2] The resulting inflammatory response leads to swelling, redness, and pain that characterize these lesions.

The nodes are commonly indicative of subacute bacterial endocarditis.[3] 10–25% of endocarditis patients will have Osler's nodes. Other signs of endocarditis include Roth's spots and Janeway lesions. The latter, which also occur on the palms and soles, can be differentiated from Osler's nodes because they are non-tender.[2]

Osler's nodes can also be seen in

Etymology

Osler's nodes are named after Sir William Osler who described them in the early 20th century.[4][5] He described them as "ephemeral spots of a painful nodular erythema, chiefly in the skin of the hands and feet."

References
  1. "Osler sign" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  2. Farrior, JB; Silverman, ME (August 1976). "A consideration of the differences between a Janeway's lesion and an Osler's node in infectious endocarditis" (PDF). Chest. 70 (2): 239–43. doi:10.1378/chest.70.2.239. PMID 947688.
  3. "Osler nodes" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  4. synd/1702 at Who Named It?
  5. Osler, W (1908–1909). "Chronic infectious endocarditis". Quarterly Journal of Medicine. Oxford. 2: 219–230.
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