Venous leg ulcers: A review of clinical variability and differential diagnosis.

Abstract

Venous hypertension due to anatomical venous insufficiency (superficial or deep venous valvular reflux and venous obstruction) and/or functional venous insufficiency (calf dysfunction, dependent edema, lymphatic dysfunction, elevated central venous pressures, etc.) leads to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and its sequelae. The most severe clinical manifestation of CVI is venous leg ulcer (VLU), which leads to substantial morbidity and disability. VLUs can present in both typical and atypical forms. However, several other types of leg ulcers can mimic VLUs. Therefore, vascular and wound care specialists must recognize the variability in VLU presentation and understand the differential diagnoses to deliver an accurate diagnosis and optimal care of atypical VLUs and conditions that resemble VLUs. Herein, we review and discuss the broad differential diagnosis of VLUs, supported by illustrative examples.