What might indicate the presence of a DVT?

The presence of unilateral leg swelling and tenderness is a strong indicator of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT typically occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most often in the legs, leading to symptoms that may include swelling, warmth, pain, and tenderness localized to one leg. The unilateral nature of the swelling is particularly indicative, as DVT generally does not present symmetrically; rather, it affects just one limb.

Bilateral leg swelling is more characteristic of systemic conditions such as heart failure or venous insufficiency, which would not point specifically to DVT. Similarly, redness and warmth in both legs do not provide enough specificity since these acute changes could be associated with various other conditions, such as superficial thrombophlebitis or cellulitis, rather than DVT alone. Pitting edema in the abdomen is not applicable in this context, as DVT primarily affects the extremities, and abdominal symptoms would tend to suggest other issues.