Two cases of post-traumatic inferior vena cava thrombosis

Acute Med Surg. 2021 Sep 17;8(1):e691. doi: 10.1002/ams2.691. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Background: Inferior vena cava thrombosis is a rare blunt abdominal trauma complication often associated with severe liver injury. We present two cases of inferior vena cava thrombosis due to mild liver injuries.

Case presentation: Case 1 was a 25-year-old woman taking oral contraceptives for dysmenorrhea who was injured in a motorcycle accident. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed hepatic contusion of the sixth segment. At 1 week after the accident, inferior vena cava thrombosis was detected. Case 2 was a 58-year-old man injured in a motorcycle accident. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, right hemothorax, and liver injury with hepatic contusion of the sixth segment. At 1 week after the accident, inferior vena cava thrombosis was observed.

Conclusion: Inferior vena cava thrombosis can occur following liver injury, regardless of damage severity. When there are thrombogenic factors and damage near the inferior vena cava, follow-up examinations should be carried out.

Keywords: Anticoagulant; inferior vena cava; thrombosis; venous thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports