Janeway Lesions

Janeway lesions can be seen in the setting of infective endocarditis and are small erythematous nodules on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.

They are non-tender and are caused by septic microemboli thus representing microabscesses.

Janeway lesions should not be confused with Osler’s nodes, which also occur from infective endocarditis. Osler’s nodes are immunologic in origin and not from microemboli. Osler’s nodes are painful; however, they are also located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.