title: [Differential diagnoses in 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.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinikum Essen, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie. joachimdissemond@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dissemond
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Körber
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grabbe
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy