Differential Diagnoses for Pitting Edema???

Started by mac_kin
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Bad case of the doyourownhomeworksies. Take 1 textbook and call me in the morning.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Have you thought about:

-Local Primary Tumor or secondary mets?
-Lymphatic obstruction
-Local injury.

I've posted some notes on the subject to help:

EDEMA
 
anyone think to do a D-dimer? ultrasound is not 100% sensitive.

d-dimer is so non-specific; in the setting of a negative ultrasound it's probably not worth doing.

cellulitis, lymphangitis, lymphedema, soft tissue injury, less likely migratory thromboplebitis, gout, septic arthritis. depending on how painful/swollen it is, possibly mri vs. treating empirically with rest and nsaids vs. tapping a joint effusion if there is one. which diagnoses are worth pursuing will probably depend on the details of a good history and physical. cheers.
 
^ i guess i was thinking that a negative D-dimer is better for ruling out DVT than a negative ultrasound, but i really have no idea how good an ultrasound is in practice.