OEDEMA PROTEIN CONCENTRATIONS FOR DIFFERENTIATION OF CELLULITIS AND DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS

The differentiation between cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis was investigated in a series of patients with acutely swollen, painful, red legs. Oedema-fluid protein concentrations (as mean [SD]) were significantly higher in patients with cellulitis than in those with deep vein thrombosis (19·8 g/l [5·0] vs 5·85 g/l [1·6]), and the oncotic pressure of oedema-fluid was also significantly higher in cellulitis (6·3 mm Hg [1·3] vs 2·1 mm Hg [0·6]). In hospitals where phlebography, plethysmography, or doppler ultrasound are not available, measurement of oedema-fluid protein concentrations may be a rapid and inexpensive guide to the cause of a red, swollen leg.