Purple glove syndrome is caused by the intravenous anticonvulsant phenytoin. This medication has many already established neurological side effects. However, glove syndrome is a rare, with prevalence ranging from 1.7% to 5.9%, but has very serious adverse effect that may lead to limb amputations. This may occur due to the administration of phenytoin with or without extravasation. The defining characteristic is a purplish to black discoloration of the extremity followed by
peripheral edema and pain distal to the site of infusion. Onset is generally seen within the first few hours of administration. The true pathology of purple glove syndrome is not fully elucidated, however it is believed to be due to the crystallization of phenytoin within the blood and
extravasates into the surrounding interstitium. Another mechanism may be due to the disruption of endothelial transcellular junctions followed by leaking of phenytoin into the surround soft tissues. ==Diagnosis==