Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava - an unusual cause of a chronic septic condition in a female patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Abstract
The authors describe the accidental detection of a clinically not very marked thrombosis of the vena cava inferior in a 29-year-old female diabetic which was the cause of permanent bacteriaemia and the source of embolization of the lungs. The patient was delivered of an infant six years previously by Caesarean section, subsequently complicated by a paranephritic abscess on the right which called for surgical treatment.
Since then the patient suffered from frequent dermal infections and was dyspnoic. Because of deterioration of polyneuropathic complaints of the lower extremities resulting from diabetes the patient was admitted to the authors' clinic.
Sonographic examination of the abdominal cavity aroused urgent suspicion of a thrombus in the vena cava inferior, as confirmed by subsequent cavography and computed tomography. The patient was treated for prolonged periods with anticoagulants and antibiotics.
During the subsequent check-up examination after four months marked diminution of the thrombus was recorded and improvement of the patient's general condition.