Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in a TV cameraman.
We report the case of a 40-year-old right-handed man who developed a right subclavian vein thrombosis due to work as a TV cameraman. He presented with a sudden onset of marked swelling and blue discolouration of his right arm 3 weeks after the most strenuous and prolonged episode of TV camera work that he had ever undertaken. This involved carrying a 9kg camera on his shoulder, with his right arm flexed and abducted, for a 60min period with provocation of severe pain and marked discomfort persisting during the subsequent 3 weeks before presentation. A clinical diagnosis of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) was made, with the diagnosis confirmed by ultrasound. He was treated with catheter-induced thrombolysis and a 3 month course of anticoagulation. He was advised that his UEDVT was caused by his occupation and that he should no longer work as a cameraman. This case shows the importance of identifying any occupational cause of UEDVT.
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Respiratory Medicine, Wellington 6021, New Zealand, Richard.Beasley@mrinz.ac.nz.
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R
Beasley
Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.
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I
Braithwaite
Capital and Coast District Health Board, Vascular Surgery, Wellington 6021, New Zealand.
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R
Evans
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013690:Television / Q000639:trends*; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D056824:Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*
Paget-Schroetter syndrome; TV cameraman; subclavian vein thrombosis; upper extremity deep vein thrombosis.