Examination of a patient with unilateral leg swelling reveals inability to pinch and lift a fold of skin at the base of the second toe. This positive finding indicates which condition?
- A Chronic venous insufficiency
- B Myxoedema
- C Lymphoedema ✓
- D Lipedema
Correct answer: C. Lymphoedema
Explanation
The Stemmer sign, the inability to pinch a fold of skin at the base of the second toe due to thickened, fibrotic tissue, is characteristic of lymphoedema and is highly specific for it. In chronic venous insufficiency and lipedema the skin fold can be lifted normally, and lipedema characteristically spares the feet. Myxoedema causes generalised non-pitting swelling but does not produce this localised toe sign.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.