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Fever and neck pain after pacemaker lead extraction: A case report
Shao-Xian Wang1, Jian Bai2, Rui Ma2
1Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
Background:
Venous thrombosis (VT) is one of the minor complications of pacemaker lead extraction. It is often found due to the swelling of the limbs after the extraction. It is easy to be neglected or even misdiagnosed in the absence of typical clinical symptoms. The incidence, risk factors, and long-term impact of this complication are still unclear. Herein, we report a case of deep VT caused by transvenous lead extraction, which is easily misdiagnosed.
Case Summary:
A 66-year-old woman underwent a pacemaker lead extraction at our hospital because of a pacemaker pocket infection. After the extraction, she began to experience intermittent fever accompanied by sweating. The highest body temperature recorded was 37.9 °C. Additionally, she reported migratory pain that made her uncomfortable. The pain was mistakenly thought to be caused by operation trauma. At first, the pain radiated from the left chest to the mandible. Then, the pain in the left chest was alleviated, but pain in the left neck and throat appeared. Finally, the pain was confined to the mandible and a submandibular mass was palpated with no other abnormalities upon physical examination. Computed tomography venography and angiography finally indicated that the fever and pain were the symptoms of thrombophlebitis caused by lead extraction. The patient was then treated with rivaroxaban for more than three months and has shown no symptoms since she left the hospital.
Conclusion:
The possibility of thrombosis should be considered when pain and recurrent fever occur after pacemaker lead extraction.
Insights
Pacemaker lead extraction can cause venous thrombosis (VT), a complication often misdiagnosed. Consider thrombosis in patients with post-extraction pain and fever.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Venous thrombosis (VT) is a known complication of pacemaker lead extraction.
- Clinical presentation can be subtle, leading to delayed diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old woman presented with fever and migratory pain post-pacemaker lead extraction.
- Symptoms were initially misattributed to surgical trauma.
- Imaging confirmed deep venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.
Findings:
- Deep venous thrombosis developed after transvenous lead extraction.
- Thrombophlebitis presented as fever and migratory pain, mimicking other conditions.
- Early diagnosis and anticoagulation are crucial.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider venous thrombosis in patients experiencing unexplained pain and fever after pacemaker lead extraction.
- Prompt diagnostic workup, including imaging, is essential.
- Anticoagulant therapy can effectively manage this complication.
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