Differential Diagnosis for Unilateral Pitting Edema
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This condition is the most common cause of unilateral pitting edema, especially in the lower limbs. It occurs due to the incompetence of venous valves, leading to blood pooling and increased venous pressure, which causes fluid to leak into the interstitial space.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): DVT can cause unilateral pitting edema due to the obstruction of blood flow, leading to increased pressure and fluid leakage into the tissues.
- Lymphedema: This condition results from the obstruction or disruption of lymphatic vessels or nodes, impairing lymphatic drainage and causing edema.
- Cellulitis: Infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue can cause unilateral pitting edema, especially if it involves the deeper tissues.
- Orthostatic Edema: Prolonged standing or sitting can lead to fluid accumulation in the dependent limbs, causing unilateral pitting edema.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens: A severe form of DVT that can cause significant edema, pain, and cyanosis, potentially leading to limb loss if not promptly treated.
- Compartment Syndrome: Increased pressure within a muscle compartment can cause edema, pain, and potentially lead to nerve and muscle damage if not promptly addressed.
- Malignancy: Certain cancers, such as lymphoma or tumors compressing lymphatic or venous vessels, can cause unilateral pitting edema.
Rare Diagnoses
- Filariasis: A parasitic infection that can cause lymphatic obstruction and subsequent edema, typically seen in tropical regions.
- Sarcoidosis: A systemic disease that can cause lymphadenopathy and subsequent lymphatic obstruction, leading to edema.
- Fabry Disease: A genetic disorder that can cause vascular dysfunction and subsequent edema.
- Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A rare congenital condition characterized by vascular malformations, which can cause unilateral edema.