Stasis dermatitis

Stasis dermatitis refers to the skin changes that occur in the leg as a result of "stasis" or blood pooling from insufficient venous return; the alternative name of varicose eczema comes from a common cause of this being varicose veins.[2]

Stasis dermatitis
Other namescongestion eczema, gravitational dermatitis, gravitational eczema, stasis eczema, varicose eczema[1]
SpecialtyDermatology 

Insufficient venous return results in increased pressure in the capillaries with the result that both fluid and cells may "leak" out of the capillaries. This results in red cells breaking down, with iron containing hemosiderin possibly contributing to the pathology of this entity.[3]

Symptoms

Stasis dermatitis may be characterized by:

  • Skin that appears thin, brown and tissue-like, with possible skin lesions (macule or patches), red spots, superficial skin irritation and/or darkening and/or thickening of the skin at the ankles or legs
  • Weak skin may ulcerate in some areas and legs, ankles, or other areas may become swollen
  • Open sores, ulcers
  • Itching and/or leg pains
  • Sometimes pain may persist from swollen tissues and may feel like "stabbing" or "needle pricks"

If skin continues to deteriorate and breaks down, a venous ulcer (also known as a stasis ulcer) may form.[3] Without proper wound care, open cracks predispose patients for the entry of a bacterial infection, causing cellulitis in the leg.[4]

Diagnosis

Stasis dermatitis is diagnosed clinically by assessing the appearance of red plaques on the lower legs and the inner side of the ankle. Stasis dermatitis can resemble a number of other conditions, such as cellulitis and contact dermatitis, and at times needs the use of a duplex ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis or if clinical diagnosis alone is not sufficient.[5]

Treatment

Treatment may consist of topical applications of steroid based creams and the use of compression stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression pumps, to help force the underlying buildup of fluids back out of the lower leg.[6]

Compression therapy should consist of moderate pressures and works best for ambulating patients.[5]

Ultimately, treating the underlying venous reflux is necessary to treat Stasis dermatitis. Invasive surgical procedures like saphenofemoral junction ligation with stripping were the norm for treatment in the past. However, less invasive methods are now more widely used. These newer methods include endovenous thermal ablation, ambulatory phlebotomy, and ultrasound foam sclerotherapy.

[5]

  • Stasis dermatitis (Gravitational eczema)

Complications

If stasis dermatitis goes untreated, the patient is at risk of developing venous ulcers and Acroangiodermatitis.[6][5]

See also

References
  1. Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. Chapter 14. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.
  2. "Stasis dermatitis and ulcers: Causes, symptoms, and treatment". Medical News Today. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  3. "Stasis dermatitis and ulcers". United States National Institute of Health. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
  4. Trayes, Kathryn P.; Studdiford, James; Pickle, Sarah; Tully, Amber S. (2013-07-15). "Edema: Diagnosis and Management". American Family Physician. 88 (2): 102–110. ISSN 0002-838X.
  5. Sundaresan, Swaminathan; Migden, Michael R.; Silapunt, Sirunya (June 2017). "Stasis Dermatitis: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management". American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 18 (3): 383–390. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0250-0. ISSN 1179-1888. PMID 28063094.
  6. Manchanda, Kajal; Singh, SatyendraKumar (2014). "Acroangiodermatitis (Pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma)". Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 5 (3): 323. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.137791. ISSN 2229-5178. PMC 4144224. PMID 25165656.
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