A patient at 20 weeks gestation presents with numbness and tingling in her lower leg. What condition should you suspect?

In this scenario, the symptoms of numbness and tingling in the lower leg of a patient at 20 weeks gestation raise concerns for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). During pregnancy, the risk of developing DVT increases due to hormonal changes that lead to increased blood clotting, as well as mechanical factors like increased pressure on the pelvic veins from the growing uterus. These factors can contribute to venous stasis, which is a key contributor to the development of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs.

The specific symptoms of numbness and tingling can occur when a blood clot disrupts normal blood flow or presses on nearby nerves. This makes DVT a primary consideration in this situation. Early recognition and treatment are crucial because untreated DVT can lead to complications such as pulmonary embolism, which can pose significant risks to both the patient and the fetus.

Other conditions listed, such as ovarian torsion, preeclampsia, and abruptio placenta, are associated with different signs and symptoms. Ovarian torsion typically presents with severe unilateral pelvic pain, preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, and abruptio placenta generally involves abdominal pain and bleeding due to placental detachment. None of