Deep vein thrombosis in a tetraparesic patient with mental retardation: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a tetraparesic patient, a member of a population in which DVT is reportedly rare.

CASE REPORT: A 36-year old tetraparesic resident of a developmental centre suddenly developed swelling of one leg. Her plasma D-dimer level was 751 (normal<500) ng ml-1. A Doppler ultrasound revealed femoral vein thrombosis. She usually spent 10-12 hours daily in a chair. For menstrual problems, she had received oral contraceptives (OC) for 23 months. She had no other genetic or acquired predisposition to DVT. She was anti-coagulated for 6 months and the OC was discontinued. She recovered without complications. Her DVT was probably caused by her immobility, prolonged sitting and OC.

CONCLUSION

DVT may develop in tetraparesic patients if they are exposed to additional prothrombotic factors. OC should be prescribed cautiously to such people. Relevant literature, prevention and treatment are discussed.