From the Research
Stasis dermatitis is primarily diagnosed through clinical examination rather than specific laboratory tests, with a focus on identifying characteristic skin changes in the context of chronic venous insufficiency 1. The diagnosis relies on a thorough physical examination to reveal erythema, scaling, and hyperpigmentation typically affecting the lower legs, particularly around the ankles and medial malleolus. Some key points to consider in the diagnosis of stasis dermatitis include:
- The presence of edema, varicose veins, and lipodermatosclerosis supports the diagnosis
- Doppler ultrasound can evaluate venous insufficiency by detecting abnormal blood flow patterns in the legs 2
- Patch testing may be useful if allergic contact dermatitis is suspected as a complicating factor
- In uncertain cases, a skin biopsy might be performed to exclude other dermatological conditions like eczema or psoriasis
- Laboratory tests are generally not specific for stasis dermatitis but may help rule out other conditions; these might include complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and tests for autoimmune conditions if the clinical picture is atypical 3 The most recent and highest quality study 1 emphasizes the importance of clinical examination in diagnosing stasis dermatitis, highlighting the need for a thorough physical examination to identify characteristic skin changes and evidence of venous insufficiency. Some other relevant points from the literature include:
- Stasis dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the lower extremities, typically occurring in older individuals and representing a cutaneous manifestation of venous hypertension 3
- The pathogenesis of stasis dermatitis involves inflammation and venous hypertension, with key roles for inflammatory biomarkers and cell adhesion molecules 4
- The diagnosis and management of stasis dermatitis can be challenging, with a significant burden of disease and potential for serious secondary complications such as ulcerations 1