The swollen leg: is it deep vein thrombosis? The experience of a tertiary referral center in Sri Lanka.
BACKGROUND
The role played by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a cause of leg swelling in Sri Lanka is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of proximal DVT, value of risk factors and clinical features and attitudes of clinicians towards diagnosis and treatment of DVT among those presenting with leg swelling as the main complaint.


METHODS
Prospective consecutive referrals to the University Surgical Unit, Colombo, over 10 months starting in January 1998.


METHODS
DVT suspects with swollen legs.


METHODS
Varicose veins, leg ulceration and generalized oedema.


METHODS
Color duplex scanning of the proximal deep veins and the superficial veins to detect occlusion and reflux. Information on previous diagnoses and treatment were obtained from the medical records.


RESULTS
63/137 (45%) had deep venous causes for oedema. Fever with rigors and inguinal lymphaedenopathy were strongly predictive of non DVT causes. Filariasis is the first diagnosis and DVT is considered late among the outpatients.


CONCLUSIONS
DVT is a common cause of leg swelling among those referred.
Wijeyaratne
S M
SM
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. mandika59@hotmail.com
Sheriffdeen
A H
AH
D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013188:Sri Lanka; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging