Digital necrosis with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil.

BACKGROUND: Digital necrosis is a rare phenomenon of paraneoplastic syndrome associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. Since 1965, more than 70 cases have been reported worldwide in the literature.

CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old male smoker presented with Raynaud's phenomenon, proceeding to frank gangrene of the fingers. Working up the case finally pointed toward carcinoma of the tonsil as the underlying cause - a rare paraneoplastic manifestation.

CONCLUSION: No definite etiology has been found to be the cause of Raynaud's phenomenon in this case of the squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil. A brief discussion of the literature is also presented.