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Predilection of hemolytic anemia-associated leg ulcers for the medial malleolus
H Sawhney1, J Weedon, P Gillette
1Division of Hematology-Oncology, Health Sciences Center at Brooklyn, State University of New York, USA.
Background:
Ischemic ulcers are usually found above the lateral, and venous stasis ulcers at the medial malleoli. Leg ulcers occur in at least 25% of sickle cell disease (SSD) patients in clinic populations, usually in the malleolar region. The function of the large leg veins in most SSD patients is unimpaired.
Patients And Methods:
We determined leg ulcer location in 41 sickle cell anemia (SS), and 4 sickle-beta 0 thalassemic patients with longstanding chronic and/or recurrent leg ulceration, and reviewed published reports of leg ulcers in hereditary spherocytosis and thalassemias.
Results:
Of the 57 legs of the 45 SSD patients with only 1 ulcer, 42 (74%) were medial and 15 lateral. The difference was significant (p < 0.001). Of patients with only a single ulcer, 22 were medial and 4 lateral. Of 15 reported patients with leg ulcers related to spherocytosis or thalassemia, 20/24 (83%) ulcers were medial.
Conclusions:
The medial malleoli are the most common site of leg ulceration in SSD and in other chronic hemolytic anemias. This suggests that stasis may play a role in the leg ulceration associated with chronic hemolytic anemia.
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