Heterotopic ossification with femoral vein compression mimicking deep vein thrombosis

Cheng-Yu Ko; Hung-Kai Weng; Ping-Yen Liu; Po-Wei Chen

doi:10.1016/j.jvscit.2020.07.007

Heterotopic ossification with femoral vein compression mimicking deep vein thrombosis

J Vasc Surg Cases Innov Tech. 2020 Jul 17;6(3):479-482. doi: 10.1016/j.jvscit.2020.07.007. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Authors

Cheng-Yu Ko¹, Hung-Kai Weng², Ping-Yen Liu^{1

3}, Po-Wei Chen^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
² Department of Orthopedics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
³ Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with spinal cord injury could lead to local tissue swelling and sometimes mimic the clinical presentation of deep vein thrombosis. Recognition and effective management is critical. We report the case of a bedridden patient with spinal cord injury presenting with diffuse right lower limb swelling caused by external venous compression from HO. The patient underwent surgery and local radiation therapy. Postoperative venography disclosed a marked improvement in the blood flow, and symptoms were alleviated. We discuss the role of venography in the diagnosis and treatment of venous compression in the setting of HO.

Keywords: Deep vein thrombosis; Heterotopic ossification; Myositis ossificans; Vein compression.

Publication types

Case Reports