A Rare Case of Septic Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Inferior Vena Cava and the Left Iliac Vein in an Intravenous Drug Abuser

Abstract

The patient was a 41 year-old Chinese female, a known intravenous drug abuser (IVDA), who presented with a left inguinal discharging sinus. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed inflammation in the left groin involving the left femoral vein and resulting in thrombus within the iliac veins extending to the distal portion of the inferior vena cava.Septic deep vein thrombosis is a well-recognized complication in intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) when large proximal veins are used for drug injection. Life threatening complications such as septic pulmonary embolism and right sided infective endocarditis may result.The aims of treatment are to prevent the septic thrombus from further embolisation and also to remove the thrombus. Treatment options include catheter directed thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, endovascular treatment, surgical thrombectomy and excision of the involved venous segment.In our patient, we have opted for open surgical thrombectomy without excision of the involved venous segments.