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Published on: February 4, 2018
Pseudothrombophlebitis complicating childhood lyme arthritis
B F Bittar1, C D Rosé, B E Ostrov
1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics The Alfred I. duPont Institute Wilmington, Delaware, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (B.F.B., C.D.R.) Department of Pediatrics Division of Rheumatology and Infectious Disease, The Milton Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsyulvania (B.E.O.).
Calf pseudothrombophlebitis, a painful calf swelling, can be an early sign of Lyme disease in children. This study highlights three pediatric cases, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Pediatric rheumatology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Calf pseudothrombophlebitis presents as acute, non-thrombotic calf swelling following knee synovitis.
- It mimics true thrombophlebitis but arises from various knee arthritides.
- Previous literature has only mentioned pseudothrombophlebitis in Lyme arthritis reviews, without documented cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe cases of calf pseudothrombophlebitis as a presenting feature of Lyme disease in children.
- To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with this presentation.
Main Methods:
- Case series describing three children with calf pseudothrombophlebitis.
- Detailed clinical presentation of one patient.
- Summary of clinical findings across the group.
Main Results:
- Three children presented with calf pseudothrombophlebitis as the initial manifestation of Lyme disease.
- The condition posed diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Calf pseudothrombophlebitis can be a presenting feature of Lyme disease in pediatric patients.
- Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for these challenging cases.
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