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Samwel Mikaye: Overview of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Cellulitis
Dr. S.0 MIKAYE/LinkedIn
Dec 10, 2025, 14:08

Samwel Mikaye: Overview of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Cellulitis

Samwel Mikaye, CEO of SaMik Medical Center, posted on LinkedIn:

“Overview of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Cellulitis

1. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Samwel Mikaye: Overview of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Cellulitis

Definition

  • Formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the lower extremities (calf, thigh).

Risk Factors (Virchow’s Triad)

  • Venous stasis: Immobility, long flights, hospitalization
  • Endothelial injury: Trauma, surgery, central lines
  • Hypercoagulable state: Pregnancy/postpartum, cancer, inherited thrombophilia, oral contraceptives

Clinical Features

  • Unilateral leg swelling (most common)
  • Pain or tenderness, often calf pain
  • Warmth and erythema over affected area
  • Positive Homan’s sign (pain on dorsiflexion) – not reliable

Diagnosis

  • D-dimer: Useful to rule out in low-risk patients
  • Compression ultrasonography: Gold standard
  • Venography: Rarely used, invasive

Management

  1. Anticoagulation (first-line):
    • LMWH (enoxaparin) or fondaparinux initially
    • Transition to warfarin (target INR 2–3) or DOACs (rivaroxaban, apixaban)
  2. Supportive care:
    • Leg elevation
    • Compression stockings
  3. Severe cases / complications:
    • Thrombolysis for massive DVT
    • IVC filter if anticoagulation contraindicated

2. Cellulitis

Definition

  • Acute, spreading infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, usually caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus.

Risk Factors

  • Skin breaks: cuts, ulcers, insect bites
  • Chronic edema, venous insufficiency, lymphedema
  • Immunocompromised states: diabetes, HIV, chemotherapy

Clinical Features

  • Red, warm, swollen, tender area
  • Often unilateral, poorly demarcated
  • May have fever, malaise, lymphangitis
  • Rarely: bullae, necrosis (if severe or necrotizing infection)

Diagnosis

  • Clinical diagnosis (no routine imaging required)
  • Blood cultures if severe or systemic infection
  • Consider ultrasound to rule out abscess

Management

  1. Antibiotics (empirical, based on severity):
    • Mild: Oral cephalexin or dicloxacillin
    • Severe: IV cefazolin, oxacillin, or vancomycin (if MRSA suspected)
  2. Supportive care:
    • Elevate affected limb
    • Analgesia
  3. Monitor for complications:
    • Abscess formation → incision and drainage
    • Necrotizing infection → surgical emergency”

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Cellulitis cephalexin chemotherapy Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Diabetes dicloxacillin Enoxaparin Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis Today HIV Medicine Samwel Mikaye Virchow’s Triad
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