Non-venous causes of leg and arm swelling

Abstract

Extremity swelling, pain, edema and erythema are non-specific signs and symptoms for an upper or lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT). There is a poor clinical accuracy to diagnose DVT. The clinical signs and symptoms of DCVT are often mimicked by other pathologies (musculoskeletal, other vascular and infectious disorders). In this presentation we will discuss the differential diagnoses and conditions, which may mimic the clinical signs and symptoms of a DVT such as musculoskeletal causes (lymphadenopathy, hematoma and abscesses, muscle tears, soft tissue masses, popliteal cysts and joint effusions), fluid collections/edema (groin, popliteal fossa and calf) and arterial causes (pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula and arterial thrombosis).