DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS IN THE SPASTIC UPPER-LIMB

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity (UE) is an uncommo n diagnosis, whereas DVT of the lower extremity is a well-known cause of morbidity and mortality in the rehabilitation patient. Patients wit h UE DVT secondary to venous stasis, vessel wall abnormalities, hyperc oagulability, venous instrumentation and cancer have been previously r eported in the literature. To our knowledge no case of DVT in a spasti c upper extremity has been noted. A case report of a patient with UE D VT in a spastic extremity secondary to traumatic brain injury is prese nted, with a discussion of the aetiology, diagnosis and management of this disorder.