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Dilated saphenous veins is one of the first signs.
Edema, RBC extravasation, and hyperpigmenation can also occur.
Disabling pain may also be present, and is classicaly relieved by elevation.
Long term venous hypertension results in induration of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue (lipodermatosclerosis)
a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.
Reflux, mediated by valve incompetence, leads to 80-90% of cases. Obstruction caused by malignancy, pregnancy, etc leads to 10-20%, while failure of the calf muscle pump is responsible for 1-2%.
Case #2 - a small story wrapping it all up and asking especially about management.
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