[Deep-vein thrombosis despite a low D-Dimer level].
OBJECTIVE
Deep-vein thrombosis is common but not easy to diagnose. It is generally considered that the diagnosis can be ruled out in subjects with a D-Dimer level lower than a reference threshold value. We report a case where this hypothesis was misleading.


METHODS
An 89-year-old man was hospitalized for a pain in his left lower leg, which had been persistent for 5 days.


RESULTS
The venous duplex ultrasound found two recent deep-vein thrombi in this leg while the D-Dimer level was lower than 220 UI/ml at admission.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the importance of prudent interpretation of the serum D-Dimer level.
Manckoundia
P
P
Service de médecine interne gériatrique, hôpital de Champmaillot, CHU, 2, rue Jules-Violle, BP 87909, 21079 Dijon cedex, France. patrick.manckoundia@chu-dijon.fr
Pfitzenmeyer
P
P
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D