Deep venous thrombosis complicating myelomeningocele: report of three cases

Deep venous thrombosis is a frequent, well-recognized complication of spinal cord injury. Patients with myelomeningocele often have similar weakness of the lower extremities. Following orthopedic surgery, they may also be immobilized at a time when they are hypercoagulable. In addition, as with patients with spinal cord injury, patients with myelomeningocele are prone to urinary tract infection, which may cause local inflammation in the pelvic veins. For the first time, three patients with myelomeningocele complicated by deep venous thrombosis are described. The differential diagnosis (deep venous thrombosis vs osteomyelitis vs fracture) is also discussed in a child with myelomeningocele and a warm, swollen leg, as are the diagnostic methods available. Finally, the issue of antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with myelomeningocele who are to undergo extensive orthopedic surgery is discussed.