Rumpel-Leede Phenomenon Associated With Pneumatic Compression: A Case Report
October 2022
in “
Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
”
TLDR Pneumatic compression can cause skin bruising even in healthy individuals.
The Rumpel-Leede phenomenon, characterized by non-blanchable purpuric macules due to dermal capillary rupture from compressive forces, was observed in a 49-year-old woman after pneumatic compression was applied for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis following spine surgery. This case was notable as the patient had no underlying medical conditions typically associated with the phenomenon, such as diabetes, hypertension, or thrombocytopenia. The lesions resolved spontaneously after stopping the compression, and it was hypothesized that capillary fragility and increased intracapillary pressure were the underlying mechanisms.