HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 49-year-old man of German parentage with 
Werner's syndrome (including insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus) was 
treated in our department for extensive ulcers on his lower legs.
GENETICS: Genetic analysis detected a novel compound heterozygous defect 
(1396delA and 2334delAC) of the WRN gene.
TREATMENT AND FURTHER COURSE: The ulcer clearly decreased in size on local and 
antibiotic treatment as well as autologous fibroplast transplantation. The most 
severely affected right small finger required amputation with exarticulation. 
The severe pain caused by the ulcer was successfully treated with temporary 
blockage of the stellate ganglion and permanent sympathetic blockage at the 
level of the 2nd thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.
CONCLUSION: Werner's syndrome is a rare form of progeria with an autosomal 
recessive mode of inheritance mimicking the symptoms of accelerated aging. The 
reduced life expectancy is caused by the increased incidence and early onset of 
atherosclerosis and malignant tumors. The detection of underlying molecular 
mechanisms will have an important impact in the field of anti-aging research.