Chen TC, Hsu JF. Lymphoma-associated deep vein thrombosis mimicking cellulitis in an elderly patient with diabetes: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(24): 123416 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.123416]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Tun-Chieh Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100 Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan. kmtthidchen@gmail.com
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Geriatrics & Gerontology
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case-report
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Chen TC, Hsu JF. Lymphoma-associated deep vein thrombosis mimicking cellulitis in an elderly patient with diabetes: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(24): 123416 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.123416]
World J Clin Cases. Aug 26, 2026; 14(24): 123416 Published online Aug 26, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.123416
Lymphoma-associated deep vein thrombosis mimicking cellulitis in an elderly patient with diabetes: A case report
Jui-Feng Hsu, Tun-Chieh Chen
Tun-Chieh Chen, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
Tun-Chieh Chen, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
Jui-Feng Hsu, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
Author contributions: Chen TC and Hsu JF cared for the patient and collected the clinical data; Chen TC drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to the writing and revision of the manuscript, approved the final version.
AI contribution statement: Portions of this manuscript were edited using AI tools (ChatGPT and Grammarly) solely for language refinement. The authors carefully reviewed and verified all AI-assisted outputs and take full responsibility for the scientific content of the manuscript.
Supported by Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. KMUH114-4M17.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Tun-Chieh Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100 Tzyou 1st Road, Kaohsiung City, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan. kmtthidchen@gmail.com
Received: May 18, 2026 Revised: June 18, 2026 Accepted: July 15, 2026 Published online: August 26, 2026 Processing time: 94 Days and 12.5 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin and soft tissue infection. Misdiagnosis of cellulitis and its mimics may lead to unnecessary antibiotic use and surgical intervention.
CASE SUMMARY
We report the case of an elderly patient with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presented with right leg swelling and was initially diagnosed with cellulitis. Further evaluation revealed a large abdominal follicular lymphoma encasing the aorta and inferior vena cava, associated with deep vein thrombosis of the right common femoral vein.
CONCLUSION
In elderly patients with diabetes who present with persistent leg ulcers and edema, infection is often presumed while thrombosis may be overlooked. A detailed history and thorough physical examination are essential to distinguish cellulitis from its mimics.
Core Tip: This case highlights an unusual cellulitis mimic in an elderly diabetic patient with a chronic nonhealing leg ulcer and progressive unilateral leg swelling. Although initially treated as cellulitis, further evaluation revealed deep vein thrombosis of the right common femoral vein caused by massive abdominal follicular lymphoma encasing the inferior vena cava and iliac vessels. The resulting venous obstruction led to chronic venous insufficiency and ulceration, contributing to delayed wound healing and unnecessary antibiotic treatment and surgical intervention. In elderly patients with persistent unilateral edema and nonhealing ulcers, clinicians should consider deep vein thrombosis, malignancy-related venous obstruction, and other cellulitis mimics.
