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Published on: February 10, 2023
Uncommon leg ulcers in the lower extremity.
Nicos Labropoulos1, Danielle Manalo, Nima P Patel
1Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. nlabrop@yahoo.com
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Uncommon leg ulcers, unrelated to venous or arterial disease, account for 2.1% of cases in vascular clinics. Their causes are diverse, including vasculitis and neoplasia, necessitating early identification for proper management.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Dermatology
- Wound Care
Background:
- Lower extremity ulcers are common, with venous and arterial etiologies being most prevalent.
- Identifying uncommon ulcer causes is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of uncommon leg ulcers in patients presenting to vascular clinics.
- To explore the diverse etiologies of these ulcers.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter prospective study evaluated 710 patients with lower extremity ulcers.
- Patients with venous or arterial disease (ankle-brachial index < 0.7) were excluded.
- 21 limbs from 17 patients met inclusion criteria for uncommon ulcers, undergoing physical examination, ABI, duplex ultrasonography, and skin biopsies.
Main Results:
- Uncommon ulcers represented 2.1% of all leg ulcers evaluated.
- The mean patient age was 65.6 years, with a mean ulcer duration of 5.5 years.
- Identified causes included vasculitis, neoplasia, chronic inflammation, sickle cell disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, and hydroxyurea-induced ulcers.
Conclusions:
- Leg ulcers unrelated to arterial and venous disease constitute 2.1% of cases presenting with chronic venous disease signs.
- The etiology of these ulcers is varied, frequently involving vasculitis, neoplasia, metabolic disorders, infections, and other rare conditions.
- Prompt diagnosis of uncommon ulcers is essential for timely and appropriate patient management.
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