Occupational acro-osteolysis is a serious disease definitely related to
the inhalation of agents involved in the polymerization of vinyl chloride.
After variable periods of latency, the more or less characteristic clinical
picture appears. A Raynaud's phenomenon is usually a premonitory sign
indicating that alterations in bone will probably ensue. Scleroderma-like
skin lesions and systemic involvement of variable degree occur frequently.
The pathophysiology of the disease is unknown, but obstructive lesions of
small peripheral arteries are thought to cause osteolysis of the distal
phalanges of the fingers.