Deep vein thrombosis in intravenous drug abusers presenting as a systemic illness

Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis occurred in two patients with a recent history of intravenous drug abuse. Both patients presented with complaints and physical findings consistent with a systemic illness. Evaluation revealed non-septic deep venous thrombosis, and both patients improved with intravenous heparin therapy alone. We propose that non-septic deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity is another complication of intravenous drug abuse, and that its presentation may masquerade as one of the more well-recognized systemic illnesses associated with drug abuse.