Differential Diagnosis for Bilateral Leg Swelling
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition is a common cause of bilateral leg swelling due to the inability of veins to return blood to the heart properly, leading to fluid accumulation in the legs.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Heart Failure: Bilateral leg swelling can be a sign of heart failure, where the heart is unable to pump enough blood, leading to fluid buildup in the body, particularly in the legs.
- Nephrotic Syndrome: A condition characterized by excessive loss of protein in the urine, leading to low albumin levels, which can cause fluid to leak out of blood vessels and accumulate in the legs.
- Liver Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis can lead to fluid retention and swelling in the legs due to portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia.
- Hypothyroidism: Although less common, hypothyroidism can cause swelling in the legs due to fluid retention and decreased lymphatic drainage.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the legs, which can lead to pulmonary embolism if the clot breaks loose.
- Lymphoma: Certain types of lymphoma can cause swelling in the legs due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels.
- Sepsis: In severe cases, sepsis can cause fluid to leak out of blood vessels, leading to swelling in the legs.
Rare Diagnoses
- Lipedema: A rare condition characterized by the abnormal growth of fat cells in the legs, leading to swelling and pain.
- Fabry Disease: A genetic disorder that can cause swelling in the legs due to the accumulation of a particular type of fat in the body's cells.
- Milroy Disease: A rare condition that affects the lymphatic system, leading to swelling in the legs due to impaired lymphatic drainage.