Leg ulceration Flashcards Preview

Dermatology > Leg ulceration > Flashcards

Flashcards in Leg ulceration Deck (17)
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1
Q

What is a skin ulcer?

A

a skin break

with loss of the epidermis +

part/all of the dermis

2
Q

What are the features of venous leg ulcers?

A

Large

Superficial

Gaiter area

Signs of chronic venous disease

May or may not be painful

3
Q

What are the features of arterial leg ulcers?

A

Punched out with dry base

Necrotic

Over pressure areas

Painful

Symptoms of arterial disease

4
Q

What are the two broad categories of causes of venous led ulceration?

A

Calf-pump failure and

Incompetent valves

5
Q

What is the cause of venous calf-pump failure?

A

Neuromuscular dysfunction

6
Q

What is the cause of incompetent valves in veins of the leg?

A

DVT

Thrombophlebitis

Childbirth

Orthopaedic/abdominal surgery

7
Q

What are the associated signs of venous disease of the leg?

A
Varicose Veins
Venous stars (spider veins)
Venous ulcer
Lipodermatosclerosis
Atrophy blanche
Pitting edema
Scars
8
Q

Other than the classical signs of venous leg disease (VVVLAPS) what else can occur?

A

Venous eczema

9
Q

What are the three common complications of venous leg ulceration (what is the treatment)?

A

Superficial infection (topical antiseptics)

Cellulitis (oral/i.v. antibiotics)

Lymphoedema (compression)

10
Q

How are venous leg ulcers managed?

A

Compression

Superficial venous surgery

Skin grafting

11
Q

How are arterial leg ulcers managed?

A

Conservatively

Chemical lumbar sympathectomy

Angioplasty

Bypass surgery

12
Q

What is particularly useful in diabetic ulcer management?

A

Wound debridement physically, chemically or via larvae therapy

13
Q

What is the threshold for abnormal doppler and what does this indicate?

A
  1. 2 - misleading results, due to calcification in DM

0. 8

14
Q

What causes ulceration in venous disease of the leg?

A

Loss of valve competency

Back pressure + oedema occur

Poor wound oxygenation leads to poor healing and predisposes to infection

15
Q

What are the most common type of leg ulcer

A

Venous leg ulcers

16
Q

If venous eczema is suspected what should be the investigation undertaken?

A

Patch testing

17
Q

If there is doubt as to the cause of the leg ulcer what test should you perform?

A

Biopsy