Abstract
Two cases of postthrombotic syndrome are reported. The first patient is a 37-year-old woman who presented with a chronic, indurated and painful board-like plaque occurring immediately inferior to a superficial thrombophlebitis on her left leg. Laboratory abnormal data included elevated plasma levels of FVIII-RAg, β-TG and PF-4. Bed rest and the use of anticoagulants had lead to the resolution of edema, superficial thrombophlebitis and the abnormal data stated above, however the painful board-like lesion remained unchanged. Ultrasound treatment (0.8 W/sq cm, 5 min., twice a week) was given directly to the remaining board-like lesion, and the patient experienced a rapid relief of pain and tenderness after the first few treatment. After 11 treatments, pain, tenderness and the indurated plaque had resolved completely. The second patient is a 79-year-old woman who presented with a painful indurated plaque and diffuse edema on her left shin. Venography of the left leg revealed an occlusive change of popliteal vein. Ultrasound treatment (1.0 W/sq cm, 5 min., per day) directed to the board-like lesion had lead to the relief of pain after 3 applications of ultrasound treatment. After 6 applications, the pain no longer existed and the lesion was less indurated. In summary, we propose the use of ultrasound treatment on the prolonged painful board-like lesions of postthrombotic syndrome.
