• A Guellich, E Tella, and E Mahé.
• Service de dermatologie et médecine vasculaire, hôpital Victor-Dupouy, 69, rue du Lieutenant-Colonel-Prud'hon, 95100 Argenteuil, France.
• Rev Med Interne. 2021 Mar 1; 42 (3): 214-217.

BackgroundScurvy is a clinical syndrome resulting from ascorbic acid deficiency. Although presently rare in the developed world, it continues to occur within certain susceptible populations, particularly the elderly and those with dietary habits with low vitamin C intake.CasesTwo men aged 87 and 69 were referred with multifactorial, progressive ulceration of the lower limbs, without scarring, in a context of arterial disease and other associated comorbidities. In both cases, the level of vitamin C was undetectable. An improvement in the necrotic component and in the purpura was promptly observed after vitamin C supplementation.ConclusionsDiagnosis of scurvy can be challenging. This report highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for scurvy in atypical necrotic ulcerations of lower extremities with poor response to standard therapy especially in populations at high risk of vitamin C deficiency. Early diagnosis can improve patient prognosis.Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

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