Thrombophlebitis of Aneurysmal Antecubital Vein causing Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report

The authors report a case of thrombophlebitis arising in an antecubital fossa vein resulting in a pulmonary embolism. Thrombophlebitis occurred in a vein with aneurysmal dilatation (27mm dia) and was confirmed on duplex ultrasonography. A pulmonary embolism was suspected clinically and was confirmed by ventilation-perfusion scanning. The patient was managed by anticoagulation with warfarin. Two months later she developed features of a cerebro-vascular accident secondary to bleeding into cerebral hygromas following which anticoagulation was discontinued.

Keywords: Superficial thrombophlebitis, Pulmonary embolism, Upper limb, Upper extremity, Venous aneurysm