Dermatologist diagnosis of leg cellulitis ensures appropriate care and allows many patients to avoid hospitalization.

Leg cellulitis is a common reason for hospitalization, but the diagnosis is often erroneous, and even among those with genuine cellulitis, many can be treated as outpatients. Investigators in a British hospital established a clinic, staffed by dermatologic nurses and physicians, to evaluate and treat patients referred from primary care and hospital physicians for presumptive severe leg cellulitis. The goals were to have dermatologists establish the proper diagnosis, treat any underlying cutaneous disorders, avoid hospitalization if possible, and prescribe appropriate antibiotics.


Of the 635 patients seen in the first 40 months, 67% had cellulitis, but 33% had another condition instead, primarily eczema, lymphedema, and lipodermatosclerosis. Of the 425 patients with cellulitis, 28% had an underlying predisposing dermatosis, most commonly eczema and tinea pedis. Hospitalization was averted in 96% of those with cellulitis.


Citation(s):

Levell NJ et al. Severe lower limb cellulitis is best diagnosed by dermatologists and managed with shared care between primary and secondary care. Br J Dermatol 2011 Feb 24; [e-pub ahead of print].