Utility of Lower Extremity Doppler in Patients with Lower Extremity Cellulitis: A Need to Change the Practice?. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Afzal, Muhammad Zubair; Saleh, Mian Muhammad; Razvi, Syed; Hashmi, Hamza; Lampen, Russell
• Is Part Of: Southern medical journal. Volume 108:Issue 7(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: cellulitis -- deep vein thrombosis -- Doppler ultrasound -- lower extremity; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000315
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4348

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities (LE) often have similar presentations: erythema, swelling, and calf tenderness. The overlap of these symptoms often results in physicians ordering unnecessary LE Doppler ultrasounds in patients with LE cellulitis. This practice leads to subjecting patients to unwarranted procedures and results in increased healthcare costs. We aimed to determine the percentage of Doppler ultrasounds performed in patients admitted with LE cellulitis and the prevalence of DVT in that population. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of the patients admitted January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2013 who had a diagnosis of LE cellulitis. The number of Doppler ultrasounds performed and the presence of DVT was recorded. Patients were divided into groups of Doppler ultrasounds with no DVT and Doppler ultrasounds that were positive for DVT to compare the risk factors. Results: There were 624 patients identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code for LE cellulitis at the time of admission. Slightly more than half of the subjects were men (315/624) and the average age was 61.4 ± 18.8 years (mean ± standard deviation). There were 417 (66.8%) patients who underwent Doppler ultrasound. Only 25 (5.9%) patients had DVT. Multivariate analysis showed that prior cerebrovascular accident, calf swelling, and history of thromboembolism were statistically significant predictors for DVT ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: A concurrent incidence of DVT and LE cellulitis is rare. In the absence of known risk factors of DVT, the yield of LE Doppler is low and Doppler ultrasound is not required as a part of a standard admission evaluation. Abstract : In an era of safe practice, physicians are ordering unnecessary tests that are adding to healthcare costs. Cellulitis and deep vein thrombosis often have overlapping clinical features (eg, swelling, redness, calf tenderness), leading physicians to obtain unnecessary lower-extremity Doppler ultrasounds in patients with lower extremity cellulitis. We report the percentage of Doppler ultrasounds performed on patients with lower-extremity cellulitis and the prevalence of those patients with deep vein thrombosis being treated in a tertiary healthcare center.