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Case Reports: Reminder of important clinical lesson
Exercise-induced deep vein thrombosis in the subclavian vein in an elite female athlete
  1. Jacqueline Blunt1,
  2. Laura Avila2,
  3. Michael Temple3 and
  4. Jane Thornton4
  1. 1Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  2. 2Department of Pediatrics, Division of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  3. 3Medical Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  4. 4Family Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
  1. Correspondence to Jacqueline Blunt, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; jblunt10{at}student.ubc.ca

Abstract

An adolescent female presented to the emergency room with pain, swelling and a palpable lump in the right axilla following activity on a rowing ergometer. The differential diagnosis at the time of presentation was deep vein thrombosis, mass compression and cellulitis. An ultrasound scan revealed an occlusive thrombus of the right axillary and subclavian veins, basilic vein and proximal cephalic vein. The patient underwent pharmacomechanical thrombolysis followed by catheter-directed thrombolysis. Dynamic venogram testing revealed venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) and a transaxillary first rib resection was performed to decompress the costoclavicular space. Genetic testing revealed the patient was heterozygous for factor V Leiden. Two rounds of balloon dilatation plasty were performed to relieve recurring symptoms due to scarring and persisting compression, 1 and 3 years post rib resection. After extensive shared decision-making, the patient returned to sport, reporting only intermittent symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome. This case sheds light on the importance of early diagnosis of VTOS for successful return to sport.

  • sports and exercise medicine
  • haematology (incl blood transfusion)
  • emergency medicine
  • venous thromboembolism
  • cardiovascular medicine

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2022-253751

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @JaneSThornton

    • Contributors The following authors were responsible for drafting of the text, sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms, and critical revision for important intellectual content: JB (patient), LA, MT and JT. All were responsible for drafting of the text; LA and MT were responsible for sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation results, and all provided critical revision for important intellectual content. No original diagrams or algorithms were created for this case.The following authors gave final approval of the manuscript: JB, LA, MT and JT.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests JT is an Editor of the BJSM.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.