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Suggest Treatment For Painful Swelling On The Left Arm
Question: Hi
Two days ago my left arm around my PICC line started to swell and become painful, I also had chest pain. They took cultures and pulled it.
Cultures are all negative and the majority of the swelling has gone down, except for a hard lump the size of a grape.
I'm worried that this may be a clot. I'm already in fragmin for a previous dvt so I normally wouldn't worry because I'm already on the treatment, it's just that I'm still getting the chest pains. Is this worth a trip back to emerg or can I wait 2 days till I next see my doctor? Or is this just normal and I'm worrying about nothing?
Two days ago my left arm around my PICC line started to swell and become painful, I also had chest pain. They took cultures and pulled it.
Cultures are all negative and the majority of the swelling has gone down, except for a hard lump the size of a grape.
I'm worried that this may be a clot. I'm already in fragmin for a previous dvt so I normally wouldn't worry because I'm already on the treatment, it's just that I'm still getting the chest pains. Is this worth a trip back to emerg or can I wait 2 days till I next see my doctor? Or is this just normal and I'm worrying about nothing?
Brief Answer:
You should be investigated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
As per your description, swelling could be due to infection.You should get an Ultrasound /Colour doppler of the affected upper limb.Whether the Grape sized swelling is due to Clot or Abscess will be known. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
Chest pain could be of musculoskeletal cause.To rule out heart disease,it's better to take a ECG.
You can wait for 2 days and get investigated.
Hope I answered your query.If you have any questions, I will clarify further.
Wish you good health.
Regards
You should be investigated.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
As per your description, swelling could be due to infection.You should get an Ultrasound /Colour doppler of the affected upper limb.Whether the Grape sized swelling is due to Clot or Abscess will be known. Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
Chest pain could be of musculoskeletal cause.To rule out heart disease,it's better to take a ECG.
You can wait for 2 days and get investigated.
Hope I answered your query.If you have any questions, I will clarify further.
Wish you good health.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
You said that it could be an absess, is that possible even with negative wound and blood cultures?
Brief Answer:
It is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It is possible for the presence of an abscess in spite of negative cultures.
Regards
It is possible.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It is possible for the presence of an abscess in spite of negative cultures.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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