Venous ulcers Flashcards
Whatbrown speckled discolouration - cayenne peper look in medial gater region) are common causes of venous ulcers?
Venous reflux disease
Varicose veins
DVT (post-thrombotic limb)
Where do venous ulcers usually occur?
Gaiter region?
What are the symptoms of venous ulcer compared to arterial ulcers?
Little pain unless dressing wound
What are the signs of venous ulcers
Sloped edges
Lots of exudate
Usually venous skin changes in surrounding area
What features are associated with venous ulcers?
- Venous eczema
- Haemosiderosis
- Lipodermatosclerosis
- Atrophie blanche
What is haemosiderosis?
Extravasation of haemosiderin (a blood breakdown product) due to venous hypertension
- Brown speckled discolouration/cayenne pepper petechiae
- Usually medial gaiter region
- Common
What is lipodermatosclerosis?
- Scarring of subcutaneous tissue
- Skin tight and indurated
- May cause inverted champagne bottle legs
What does atrophie blanche look like?
White scar-like areas
What are investigations should be done if venous ulcers are suspected?
- Exclude ischaemia
- Venous duplex USS
- Biopsy
How are venous ulcers managed?
- 4 layer compression bandaging and/or hosery
- Correction of superficial venous reflux, debridement and skin grafting
