SAEM Clinical Images Series: Blue is Bad

66 year-old-male with a history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension presented as a transfer for rapid progression of lower extremity pain, swelling, and blue-purple discoloration of the entire limb with concern for a possible necrotizing infection. His symptoms began earlier in the day and progressed over just a few hours. He had no known thromboembolic risk factors.

Additional Images

Physical Exam

MSK: Swollen, tender, and blue/purple-colored right lower extremity

Laboratory Data

Complete Blood Count (CBC): WBC 8.7; Hb 15; Hct 45; Plt 172

Glucose: 472

Case Question: What is the most likely diagnosis?

Severe venous thromboembolism (VTE), also known as Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens, which means “painful blue inflammation”, is commonly seen with a unilateral exquisitely tender, swollen, and bluish/purple-colored lower extremity.

Case Question: What complication should be considered if no arterial pulse is palpated on exam?

Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens has a high amputation rate secondary to venous gangrene or compartment syndrome. If no pulse is noted on exam, a high suspicion for compartment syndrome must be maintained.

Case Discussion

Take-Home Points

Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens is a rare ischemic complication of massive venous thromboembolism with amputation and mortality rates as high as 50% and 40% respectively.
Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens tends to affect the iliofemoral segment of the lower extremities and is commonly associated with malignancy.
The preferred imaging modality is doppler ultrasound. Management includes limb elevation, IV fluids, and either systemic anti-coagulation, catheter-directed thrombolysis, and/or thrombectomy.

References

Bazan HA, Reiner E, Sumpio B. Management of bilateral phlegmasia cerulea dolens in a patient with subacute splenic laceration. Ann Vasc Dis. 2008;1(1):45-8. doi: 10.3400/avd.AVDcr07002. Epub 2008 Feb 15. PMID: 23555338; PMCID: PMC3610218.
Chaochankit W, Akaraborworn O. Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens with Compartment Syndrome. Ann Vasc Dis. 2018 Sep 25;11(3):355-357. doi: 10.3400/avd.cr.18-00030. PMID: 30402189; PMCID: PMC6200621.
Gardella L, Faulk J. Phlegmasia Alba And Cerulea Dolens. 2022 Oct 3. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan–. PMID: 33085284.
Said A, Sahlieh A, Sayed L. A comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions in phlegmasia cerulea dolens. Phlebology. 2021 Jun;36(5):392-400. doi: 10.1177/0268355520975581. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33236674.
Schroeder M, Shorette A, Singh S, Budhram G. Phelgmasia Cerulea Dolens Diagnosed by Point-of-Care Ultrasound. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2017 Mar 13;1(2):104-107. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2016.12.32716. PMID: 29849409; PMCID: PMC5965407.

Copyright

Images and cases from the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Clinical Images Exhibit at the 2023 SAEM Annual Meeting | Copyrighted by SAEM 2023 – all rights reserved. View other cases from this Clinical Image Series on ALiEM.