[Deep venous thromboses in erysipelas of the leg. A prospective study of 40 cases]. / Thromboses veineuses profondes au cours des érysipèles de jambe. Etude prospective de 40 observations.

ABSTRACT

The treatment of lover limb erysipelas rests on antibiotic therapy directed against streptococci, but the necessity of prescribing a concomitant anticoagulant treatment has not yet been established. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients with erysipelas of the leg in unknown. In a prospective study of 40 patients presenting with this type of skin disease, we looked for deep vein thrombosis, using systematically pulsed Doppler vein exploration combined with ultrasonography and, if necessary, a second Doppler examination and a phlebography. Six cases of deep vein thrombosis were diagnosed. This complication was observed in 5 patients at high risk for deep venous thrombosis; it had never been foreseen at clinical examination.