The tourniquet test as a diagnostic aid for the study of telangiectasia.

Telangiectasia, commonly called Rendu-Osler disease, in its uncomplicated state is a genetic trait, not a disease, which is transmitted as a dominant. It is difficult to diagnose because the identifying characteristics, which are collectively called telangiectases, are multiform. They often do not appear until adult life and frequently are secondary to extraneous or environmental factors such as alcohol, various drugs of which aspirin is an example, and, in a few subjects, exposure to sunlight. The tourniquet test is positive in a high percentage of cases. Eight patients have been selected for discussion to illustrate the application and helpfulness of this test in attaining a better evaluation of the clinical aspects of telangiectasia.