title: Oedema protein concentrations for differentiation of cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: The differentiation between cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis was investigated in a series of patients with acutely swollen, painful, red legs. Oedema-fluid protein concentrations (as mean [SD]) were significantly higher in patients with cellulitis than in those with deep vein thrombosis (19.8 g/l [5.0] vs 5.85 g/l [1.6]), and the oncotic pressure of oedema-fluid was also significantly higher in cellulitis (6.3 mm Hg [1.3] vs 2.1 mm Hg [0.6]). In hospitals where phlebography, plethysmography, or doppler ultrasound are not available, measurement of oedema-fluid protein concentrations may be a rapid and inexpensive guide to the cause of a red, swollen leg.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Brooklyn Veterans' Administration Medical Center, New York.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Berlyne
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003124:Colorimetry; D003906:Developing Countries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin