Differential diagnosis of leg ulcers

Abstract

In Germany about 0.7% of the adult population have a chronic leg ulcer. Although chronic venous insufficiency accounts for at least 80% of all chronic leg ulcers, knowledge of the relevant differential diagnostic considerations is of crucial importance, in particular for patients who are refractory to therapy. In addition to vascular disease, other causes include neuropathic, metabolic, hematologic and exogenous factors as well as neoplasias, infections, drugs, genetic defects and some primary skin disorders. For the long-term successful treatment of patients with chronic leg ulcers, it is necessary to identify all relevant factors, in order to enable a pathogenesis-oriented, interdisciplinary therapeutic approach.

Management of venous leg ulcers: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery® and the American Venous Forum

“…Differential diagnosis of possible causes for leg ulcers is shown in Table IV. [99][100][101] Serial VLU wound measurement and documentation are important to determine baseline markers and effect of subsequent treatment measures on healing parameters. Documentation should include number and position of ulcers on the leg.…”

Evaluation of a muscle pump‐activating device for non‐healing venous leg ulcers

“…Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a term used to describe the clinical changes to the skin and subcutaneous tissue that occur because of chronic venous disease , caused by venous reflux and post‐thrombotic syndrome. The primary risk factors are advanced age, obesity, previous leg injuries, deep venous thrombosis and phlebitis, legs in the dependent position for long periods of time and female gender .…”

“…Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a term used to describe the clinical changes to the skin and subcutaneous tissue that occur because of chronic venous disease (1), caused by venous reflux and post-thrombotic syndrome. The primary risk factors…”

Combined treatment of vasotrophic ulcers in lower limbs chronic venous insufficiency

“…Поэтому, большинством извест-ных флебологов, оно рассматривается только, как один из этапов комплексного лечения [11]. Целенаправленное комбинирование ме-тодов консервативного и оперативного лече-ния, особенно у пациентов с венозными ТЯ, является залогом успеха хирургического вме-шательства, а в послеоперационном периоде позволяет сократить сроки медицинской реа-билитации [11,12,13]. Поэтому, разработка и внедрение современных методов лечения ТЯ, включение их в комплекс предоперационной подготовки и комбинирование с различными способами хирургической коррекции ХВН, по нашему мнению, является актуальным.…”