Primary spontaneous upper extremity deep vein thrombosis is characterised by thrombosis within deep veins draining the upper extremity due to anatomical abnormalities of the thoracic outlet causing axillosubclavian compression and subsequent thrombosis. It is an uncommon condition that typically presents with unilateral arm swelling in a young male following vigorous upper extremity activity. The diagnosis of this condition is usually made by Doppler ultrasound, but other investigations are mandatory to exclude the secondary causes of upper extremity DVT. Different treatment options are available including anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and surgery. We report the case of a young healthy male with athletic physique who presented with pain and swelling of his dominant arm after weightlifting in the gym.
References
- Engelberger RP, Kucher N. Management of deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremity. Circulation. 2012 Aug 7;126(6):768-73.
- Garg V, Poon G, Tan A et al. Paget-Schroetter syndrome as a result of 1st rib stress fracture due to gym activity presenting with Urschel’s sign–A case report and review of literature. International journal of surgery case reports. 2018 Jan 1;49:81-6.
- Merminod T, Pellicciotta S, Bounameaux H. Limited usefulness of D-dimer in suspected deep vein thrombosis of the upper extremities. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis. 2006 Apr 1;17(3):225-6.
- Weaver LA, Kanter CR, Costantino TG. Effort Thrombosis Provoked by Saxophone Performance. The Journal of emergency medicine. 2019 Mar 1;56(3):323-6.
- Kearon C, Akl EA, Ornelas J et al. Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest. 2016 Feb 1;149(2):315-52.
- Tait RC, Baglin T, Watson H et al. Guidelines on the investigation and management of venous thrombosis at unusual sites. British journal of haematology. 2012;159(1):28-38.
- Houghton DE, Casanegra AI, Peterson LG, et al. Treatment of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis with apixaban and rivaroxaban. Am J Hematol. 020;95(7):817-823.
- Molina JE, Hunter DW, Dietz CA J Vasc Surg. 2007 Feb; 45(2):328-34.
Request Permissions
To request copyright permission to republish or share portions of our works, please visit Copyright Clearance Center’s (CCC) Marketplace website by clicking the button below:
