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Upper limb deep vein thrombosis: a potentially fatal complication of a clavicle fracture

R Ek Jones1, P A McCann, D A Clark

  • 1Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK. rj2483@doctors.org.uk

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|June 10, 2010
PubMed

We present a case a 48-year-old man who was diagnosed with an upper limb deep vein thrombosis post clavicle fracture. He was successfully investigated with a computed tomography (CT) venogram, thrombophilia was excluded, and he was subsequently treated with a 3-month course of anticoagulation. We illustrate this case with photographs and a three-dimensional colour reconstruction of a CT venogram to raise awareness of the condition. A suitable level of clinical suspicion should be maintained by the orthopaedic surgeon; delayed arm swelling with venous congestion following a clavicle fracture should be investigated with CT venography and thrombophilia should be excluded.

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