Two Surgical Patients with Paget–Schroetter Syndrome Presenting with Atypical Pathophysiology: Non-Effort Thrombosis

Abstract

Paget–Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is an upper extremity thrombosis occurring in the axillary and subclavian veins. PSS is also known as “effort thrombosis,” because it is usually associated with repetitive and strenuous activities of the upper limbs. We present 2 patients with atypical PSS, so-called “non-effort thrombosis,” who were not involved in vigorous activities. They underwent thoracic outlet decompression through the infraclavicular approach without concomitant venoplasty. They were discharged without postoperative anticoagulant therapy. Venography and computed tomography after surgery revealed successful recanalization of the subclavian vein in each case. We highlight the characteristic pathophysiology of “non-effort thrombosis,” an atypical PSS entity.