Concomitant Venous Thrombosis in Cellulitis of the Upper Extremity

Abstract

Objectives Concurrent thrombosis is observed in up to 15 % of the patients with cellulitis of the lower extremity. The risk of concomitant venous thrombosis in patients with upper extremity cellulitis has not been investigated, yet. Aim of this study is to examine the frequency of concomitant venous thrombosis in patients with cellulitis of the upper extremity and to identify risk factors, comorbidities, and complications.

Materials and Methods From 2014 to 2021, patients with cellulitis of the arm that received duplexsonography of the same limb were included. Files were reviewed for demographic data, comorbidities, and risk factors.

Results 53 patients with upper limb cellulitis were included. In 11.3 % of the patients (n = 6), concomitant venous thrombosis of the upper extremity was detected. Three patients had deep arm thrombosis (brachial and subclavian veins), three had superficial vein thrombosis.

Conclusion Cellulitis may increase the risk for venous thrombosis. Venous catheters and chronic lymphedema favor the occurrence of both cellulitis and venous thrombosis. Oncological patients are at particular risk for developing concomitant venous thrombosis.

Zusammenfassung

Zielsetzung Bei bis zu 15% der Patienten mit Erysipel der unteren Extremität wird eine begleitende Thrombose als Zufallsbefund festgestellt. Bei Erysipelen der oberen Extremität wurde das Risiko für das gleichzeitige Auftreten von Thrombosen bislang nicht untersucht. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die Häufigkeit von Venenthrombosen bei Patienten mit Erysipel der oberen Extremität zu erheben und Risikofaktoren, Komorbiditäten und Komplikationen zu ermitteln.

Patienten und Methoden Alle Patienten mit Erysipel am Arm, die zwischen 2014 und 2021 eine Duplexsonografie dieses Arms erhielten, wurden eingeschlossen, und deren demografische Daten, Komorbiditäten und Risikofaktoren wurden ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse 53 Patienten mit Erysipel der oberen Extremität wurden eingeschlossen. Bei 11,3% dieser Patienten (n=6) wurde eine begleitende Armvenenthrombose festgestellt. Bei 3 Patienten fand sich eine tiefe Armvenenthrombose (V. subclavia, V. brachialis), bei 3 Patienten zeigte sich eine oberflächliche Armvenenthrombose.

Zusammenfassung Erysipele können das Risiko einer venösen Thrombose erhöhen. Venenkatheter und chronische Lymphödeme begünstigen das Auftreten sowohl von Erysipelen als auch von Venenthrombosen. Onkologische Patienten sind besonders gefährdet, gleichzeitig eine venöse Thrombose zu entwickeln.

Schlüsselwörter

Entzündung - venöse Thrombose - Erysipel - obere Extremität - Lymphödem

Keywords

inflammation - venous thrombosis - cellulitis - upper extremity - lymphedema

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