Free-floating thrombus in the femoral vein - a challenge in phlebologic diagnostics

Although thrombophlebitis may be a complication of an incompetent great sap henous vein, it usually has a benign outcome. The risk of embolisation is p resent especially when ascending progression of superficial venous thrombos is extends to the femoral vein. The proximal extension of the thrombus ofte n precedes clinically visible symptoms. Use of colour duplex sonography is superior to phlebography in assessing the saphenofemoral junction area and thrombus propagation in these cases. Our case report details the difficulti es encountered in the diagnosis and therapy of a patient with a free-floati ng thrombus at the saphenofemoral junction.