[Varicose eczema: the etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis. Part II]

Varicose eczema is a frequently occurring complication due to chronic venous insufficiency. In view of the fact that the complicated forms of chronic venous insufficiency (classes 4-6 according to the clinical classification CEAP) are associated with the presence of dermatological lesions, the reliable diagnosis of the given pathology presents a matter of great concern. For the phlebologist end, not infrequently, for the dermatologist the diagnosis of varicose eczema may be difficult because of the diversity of its manifestations. Also, there is a number of diseases that look like varicose eczema but require a different approach to the treatment. The Russian literature practically lacks the works related to varicose eczema. The problems of the diagnosis and treatment including the organizational aspects have not been worked out. The surgeons hold that this disease is dermatological whereas the dermatologists view it as surgical. As a result, the majority of patients do not receive adequate treatment. The paper describes the phlebologist's standpoint of the problem of varicose eczema. Part II of the paper reviews the differential diagnosis of varicose eczema.