We report the case of a 40-year-old right-handed man who developed a right subclavian vein thrombosis due to work as a TV cameraman. He presented with a sudden onset of marked swelling and blue discolouration of his right arm 3 weeks after the most strenuous and prolonged episode of TV camera work that he had ever undertaken. This involved carrying a 9kg camera on his shoulder, with his right arm flexed and abducted, for a 60min period with provocation of severe pain and marked discomfort persisting during the subsequent 3 weeks before presentation. A clinical diagnosis of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) was made, with the diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound. He was treated with catheter-induced thrombolysis and a 3 month course of anticoagulation. He was advised that his UEDVT was caused by his occupation and that he should no longer work as a cameraman. This case shows the importance of identifying any occupational cause of UEDVT.
Keywords: Paget-Schroetter syndrome; TV cameraman; subclavian vein thrombosis; upper extremity deep vein thrombosis..
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