User:Mr. Ibrahem/Phlegmasia cerulea dolens

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a severe form of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) that blocks outflow of blood from a limb. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and bluish discoloration. Most commonly the leg is affected, with less than 10% of cases affected the arm. Complications may include pulmonary embolism, compartment syndrome, gangrene, and limb loss.

Risk factors include cancer (30%), hypercoagulability, venous stasis, surgery, major trauma, pregnancy, hormone therapy, and immobilization; though in some cases none are present. The underlying mechanism involves extensive blockage of an extremity vein by a clot such that blood is unable to leave. Diagnosis is usually by ultrasound. A similar, but less severe, condition that results in a white limb is known as phlegmasia alba dolens.

It is a medical emergency. Management involves raising the leg above the level of the heart, anticoagulants with heparin, and intravenous fluids. The clot may be removed either by thrombolysis or thrombectomy. The risk of death among those severely affected is as high as 40%. Among those who survive post thrombotic syndrome is common.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is uncommon. Those most commonly affected are in their 50s or 60. Males are more commonly affected than females. The condition was first described and named in 1938 by Gregoire. The term means "painful blue inflammation".