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Deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolism following minor trauma to the popliteal fossa: could this have been avoided?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2015

Jason Orlik  and
Jennifer McVey
Jason Orlik*
Affiliation:
UBC Okanagan Family Medicine Program, Kelowna, BC
Jennifer McVey
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
*
Family Medicine Residency Office, 2268 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1T2; jorlik@dal.ca

Abstract

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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with subsequent pulmonary embolus (PE) is frequently fatal if untreated. Athletes may be susceptible to DVT following minor blunt trauma to the popliteal fossa. We report an adult male hockey player with no “classic” risk factors for DVT who presented with a DVT and bilateral PE following minor popliteal blunt trauma. This case report illustrates the utility of likelihood ratios when interpreting the results of diagnostic tests such as Doppler ultrasonography.

Keywords

deep vein thrombosislikelihood ratiominor traumapopliteal fossapulmonary embolism
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , March 2011 , pp. 122 - 126
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2011

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