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Phlegmasia cerulea dolens

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Treatment:

See deep venous thrombosis.

Complications:

As clotting in the vein continues, there may be increased swelling. The swelling can cause an overall disturbance of the circulation in the limb, affecting both the arteries and the veins. This complication is called phlegmasia alba dolens, which may lead to gangrene and require amputation.

Calling your health care provider:

See your health care provider, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or get to an emergency room immediately if an arm or leg is seriously swollen, blue, and painful.

• Review Date: 10/30/2006
• Reviewed By: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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