ABSTRACT
Lemierre's syndrome refers to infectious thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein developed as complication of an oropharyngeal infection. It is a rare syndrome, affecting otherwise healthy young adults, which may lead to sepsis complicated by septic embolization. Although there is a characteristic clinical picture, many modern physicians are unaware of this syndrome, leading it to be termed 'the forgotten disease'. The authors report a case of late diagnosis due to initial suspicion of COVID-19 and highlight the pitfalls on its diagnosis.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lemierre Syndrome , Thrombophlebitis , Humans , Jugular Veins/diagnostic imaging , Lemierre Syndrome/diagnosis , Memory Disorders/complications , Pandemics , Thrombophlebitis/diagnosis , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 and Fontan physiology have each been associated with an elevated risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), however little is known about the risks and potential consequences of having both. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51 year old male with tricuspid atresia status post Fontan and extracardiac Glenn shunt, atrial flutter, and sinus sick syndrome presented with phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) of the left lower extremity in spite of supratherapeutic INR in the context of symptomatic COVID-10 pneumonia. He was treated with single session, catheter directed mechanical thrombectomy that was well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: This report of acute PCD despite therapeutic anticoagulation with a Vitamin K antagonist, managed with emergent mechanical thrombectomy, calls to attention the importance of altered flow dynamics in COVID positive patients with Fontan circulation that may compound these independent risk factors for developing deep venous thrombosis with the potential for even higher morbidity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Fontan Procedure , Gangrene , Mechanical Thrombolysis , Postoperative Complications , Thrombophlebitis , Tricuspid Atresia , Warfarin/therapeutic use , Amputation, Surgical/methods , Atrial Flutter/drug therapy , Atrial Flutter/etiology , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/therapy , Fontan Procedure/adverse effects , Fontan Procedure/methods , Gangrene/etiology , Gangrene/surgery , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Lower Extremity/pathology , Lower Extremity/surgery , Male , Mechanical Thrombolysis/adverse effects , Mechanical Thrombolysis/methods , Middle Aged , Phlebography/methods , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/physiopathology , Postoperative Complications/surgery , Sick Sinus Syndrome/diagnosis , Sick Sinus Syndrome/etiology , Thrombophlebitis/diagnosis , Thrombophlebitis/etiology , Thrombophlebitis/surgery , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Treatment Outcome , Tricuspid Atresia/etiology , Tricuspid Atresia/surgeryABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely reported to be associated with increased risk of Venous Thromboembolism, both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. A rare and extreme manifestation of DVT is Phlegmasia cerulea dolens, characterized by poor tissue perfusion due to marked limb swelling which can progress to limb and life-threatening venous gangrene. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with severe SARS-CoV2 pneumonia who developed acute iliofemoral DVT leading to acute limb ischemia due to Phlegmasia cerulea dolens. The patient underwent successful emergent fasciotomy and mechanical thrombectomy with removal of extensive thrombus burden and restoration of normal venous circulation. Our case highlights the importance of clinical vigilance and early implementation of therapeutic interventions to avoid adverse outcomes in patients who develop SARS-CoV2 induced Venous Thromboembolism complications.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/therapy , Fasciotomy , Thrombectomy , Thrombophlebitis/surgery , Venous Thromboembolism/surgery , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Thrombophlebitis/diagnosis , Thrombophlebitis/etiology , Treatment Outcome , Venous Thromboembolism/diagnosis , Venous Thromboembolism/etiologyABSTRACT
A 54-year-old woman with leukemia presented with coronavirus disease 2019 and a right upper-extremity indwelling peripherally inserted central catheter line for chemotherapy administration. On hospital admission day 9, she developed acute right upper-extremity edema and pain. Ultrasound demonstrated complete superficial and deep venous thrombosis up to the proximal subclavian vein. Her examination result was consistent with acute phlegmasia cerulea dolens and compartment syndrome, but respiratory instability prevented transfer and vascular surgery intervention. Instead, we performed bedside fasciotomies and administered therapeutic heparin, and the limb was salvaged. This case underscores the potential for successful limb salvage in patients with phlegmasia in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 via compartment release and therapeutic anticoagulation.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Compartment Syndromes , Sepsis , Thrombophlebitis , Venous Thrombosis , Compartment Syndromes/etiology , Compartment Syndromes/surgery , Extremities , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Thrombophlebitis/diagnosis , Thrombophlebitis/etiology , Thrombophlebitis/therapy , Venous Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Venous Thrombosis/etiology , Venous Thrombosis/surgeryABSTRACT
A 12-year-old girl with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection presented as phlegmasia cerulea dolens with venous gangrene. Emergent mechanical thrombectomy was complicated by a massive pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest, for which extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapeutic hypothermia were used. Staged ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis was used for treatment of bilateral pulmonary emboli and the extensive lower extremity deep vein thrombosis while the patient received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. We highlight the need for heightened suspicion for occult severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection among children presenting with unusual thrombotic complications.