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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
06:45
Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Screening for Proximal Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis
Published on: February 10, 2023
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Concomitant thrombosis in patients with cellulitis as incidental finding
Andrea Gawaz1, Lena Gonser1, Anke Strölin1
1Universitätshautklinik Tübingen, Liebermeisterstr, Tübingen, Germany.
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|August 8, 2022
Summary
Cellulitis increases the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). This study found DVT in 12% of patients with lower leg cellulitis, suggesting screening and prophylactic anticoagulation are needed.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Inflammation and thrombosis are closely linked, yet anticoagulant therapy is underutilized in cellulitis patients.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in lower leg cellulitis cases.
- Guidelines for diagnosing and preventing venous thromboembolism in cellulitis are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of incidental deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients presenting with cellulitis.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and anticoagulant therapy in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 192 patient records with cellulitis.
- Duplex ultrasound screening for deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
- Evaluation of comorbidities and risk factors associated with thrombosis.
Main Results:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was detected in 12.0% of patients with lower leg cellulitis.
- Of the identified DVTs, 43.5% were proximal and 52.2% were in the calf veins.
- Comorbidities and risk factors were assessed in relation to DVT prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Cellulitis should be recognized as a risk factor for venous thrombosis, not just a differential diagnosis.
- Prophylactic anticoagulation should be considered for patients with cellulitis.
- Systematic screening for venous thrombosis is recommended in patients diagnosed with cellulitis.
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