Compression of femoral vein by the strap of a urine-collecting device in a spinal cord injury patient.
OBJECTIVE
To report an unusual cause of femoral vein compression in a spinal cord injury (SCI) patient.


METHODS
A case report of a SCI patient in whom the strap of a urinal produced compression of femoral vein. Setting Regional Spinal Injuries Centre, Southport, England.


METHODS
A 65-year old male, who had sustained paraplegia at T-10 level 33 years ago, attended the spinal unit for a routine follow-up intravenous urography (IVU). He was wearing a urinal, which was held tightly over the penis by means of two straps coursing over the inguinal regions.


METHODS
IVU was performed by injecting 50 ml of Ultravist-300 via a 23-gauge butterfly needle inserted in a vein over the dorsum of the left foot. After completion of the injection, an X-ray of the pelvis was taken to evaluate the right hip. This showed contrast in the vena profunda femoris, circumflex femoral veins and inter-muscular veins with evidence of compression of proximal femoral vein.


RESULTS
It was suspected that the strap holding the urinal was causing compression of the femoral vein. Therefore, a venogram was performed 5 days later, when the patient had discarded the urinal and the straps. This showed free flow of contrast through the left femoral and iliac veins.


CONCLUSIONS
Compression of femoral vein by a strap holding the urinal was discovered serendipitously in this patient during a routine follow-up. Physicians and health professionals should bear in mind this rare complication when examining spinal cord injury patients who use this type of urine collecting device, and discuss with them alternative methods for urinary drainage.
Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and Department of Radiology, District General Hospital, Southport, Merseyside PR8 6PN, UK.
S
S
Vaidyanathan
R
R
Parry
B M
BM
Soni
G
G
Singh
P
P
Sett
D000368:Aged; D003250:Constriction; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014567:Urography; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*