Abstract
Lower limb ulcers are still a relevant medical problem in terms of epidemiology and comorbidity. These are classified according to their etiology. The main categories are three: venous, arterial, and neuropathic ulcers. Other rare causes of ulcers are traumas, malignancies, infections, vasculitis, decubitus, calciphylaxis, hypertension, and lymphatic insufficiency. The first two steps for differential diagnosis are the analysis of patient’s history and physical examination.
This chapter focuses on the anatomical basis of the most common type of ulcers, which can help in the etiological differential diagnosis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Nelzen O, Bergquist D, Lindhagen A. Venous and non-venous leg ulcers: clinical history and appearance in a population study. Br J Surg. 1994;81:182–7.
Callam MJ, Harper DR, Dale JJ, Ruckley CV. Chronic ulcer of the leg: clinical history. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1987;294(6584):1389–91. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.294.6584.1389.
Spear M. Venous ulcers-an evidence-based update. Plast Surg Nurs. 2012;32(4):185–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSN.0b013e31827781b8.
Valencia IC, Falabella A, Kirsner RS, Eaglstein WH. Chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulceration. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44(3):401–24. https://doi.org/10.1067/mjd.2001.111633.
Alguire PC, Mathes BM. Chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulceration. J Gen Intern Med. 1997;12:374–83.
Hampton S. An introduction to various types of leg ulcers and their management. Br J Nurs. (Mark Allen Publishing). 2006; https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2006.15.sup2.21235.
Millan SB, Gan R, Townsend PE. Venous ulcers: diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(5):298–305.
Wright N, Fitridge R. Varicose veins: natural history, assessment and management. Aust Fam Physician. 2013;42(6):380–4.
Falanga V. Venous ulceration. J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1993;19(8):764–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.1993.tb00422.x.
Cooper DL. Atrophie blanche in a patient with gamma-heavy-chain disease. Arch Dermatol. 1991;127(2):272b–273. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.127.2.272b.
Greenberg AS, Hasan A, Montalvo BM, Falabella A, Falanga V. Acute lipodermatosclerosis is associated with venous insufficiency. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;35(4):566–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-9622(96)90681-7.
Collins TC, Suarez-Almazor M, Petersen NJ. An absent pulse is not sensitive for the early detection of peripheral arterial disease. Fam Med. 2006;38(1):38–42.
Van Gent WB, Hop WC, van Praag MC, Mackaay AJ, de Boer EM, Wittens CH. Conservative versus surgical treatment of venous leg ulcers: a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. J Vasc Surg. 2006;44(3):563–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2006.04.053.
Chamanga ET. Understanding venous leg ulcers. Br J Community Nurs. 2018;23:S6–S15. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2018.23.Sup9.S6.
Schneider C, Stratman S, Kirsner RS. Lower extremity ulcers. Med Clin N Am. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2021.04.006.
Collins L, Seraj S. Diagnosis and treatment of venous ulcers. Am Fam Physician. 2010;81(8):989–96.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Zalaudek, I., Pauluzzi, M. (2023). Anatomical Base for Diagnosis. In: Maruccia, M., Papa, G., Ricci, E., Giudice, G. (eds) Pearls and Pitfalls in Skin Ulcer Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45453-0_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45453-0_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-45452-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-45453-0
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)