Which description correctly matches Janeway lesions?

Which description correctly matches Janeway lesions?

• A. Painful nodules on the eyelids
• B. Painless erythematous macules on the palms and soles
• C. Painful ulcers on the tongue
• D. Vesicular lesions on the lips

Answer: (B)

Janeway lesions are a skin finding of infective endocarditis that reflect septic emboli to the skin. They present as painless, erythematous (often hemorrhagic) macules on the palms and soles. This description matches the option describing painless erythematous macules on the palms and soles. A related feature, Osler nodes, are painful nodules on finger or toe pads caused by immune complex–mediated processes, which helps distinguish the two. The other descriptions (painful nodules on the eyelids, painful tongue ulcers, vesicular lip lesions) do not fit the typical painless palm-and-sole macules seen in Janeway lesions.

Janeway lesions are a skin finding of infective endocarditis that reflect septic emboli to the skin. They present as painless, erythematous (often hemorrhagic) macules on the palms and soles. This description matches the option describing painless erythematous macules on the palms and soles.

A related feature, Osler nodes, are painful nodules on finger or toe pads caused by immune complex–mediated processes, which helps distinguish the two. The other descriptions (painful nodules on the eyelids, painful tongue ulcers, vesicular lip lesions) do not fit the typical painless palm-and-sole macules seen in Janeway lesions.