title: The swollen leg: is it deep vein thrombosis? The experience of a tertiary referral center in Sri Lanka.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. mandika59@hotmail.com
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Wijeyaratne
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Sheriffdeen
mesh_terms: 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