Venous Thromboembolism - Management Differential Diagnosis

Differential Diagnosis

DVT

Since pain and swelling are common presenting complaints, DVT must be differentiated from other causes including muscle strain (trauma), rupture or tear; leg swelling in a paralyzed leg; lymphangitis or lymphedema; cellulitis; ruptured popliteal cyst (Baker’s cyst); chronic venous insufficiency, osteomyelitis, arterial ischemia, hematoma, superficial thrombophlebitis, and inflammatory knee conditions. Other possible causes that may mimic acute lower extremity DVT include drug-induced edema and edema secondary to HF.
 
Pulmonary Embolism  

For pulmonary embolism, conditions that need to be ruled out include cardiogenic shock, cardiac tamponade, aortic dissection, pneumonia, and massive MI.