Arterial spasms of the limbs

: After rapidly reviewing the anatomy and the physiology of vasoconstrictive pathways and numbering predisposing factors involved in vasoconstrictive, the authors report different causes of peripheral arterial spasm. They particularly insist upon the causes of acute ischemia or the causes which may result on a long term in cutaneous sign of chronic ischemia. Arterial spasm due to arteriography itself is evoked. Studies are based on vascular radiographic opacification after arteriography: constituting a precise and easy technique, this allowing identification, localization as well as definition of the different images uncountered in arterial spasm. Arteriography is not mandatory for diagnostic evidence, but good technical conditions allow a precise view of the arterial status of the limbs taken as a whole, as well as a pathophysiological view of the mechanism involved in same vasomotor troubles. It may also reveal complications. In a great number of cases, indications for treatment can be adapted.