Zeitschrift für klinische Fallberichte

A “Suspected” Free-Floating Thrombus of Innominate Vein in Patient with Thymoma Unresponsive to Anticoagulant Therapy: A Case Study.

Abstract

Santoro L, Giupponi B, Gallo G, Landi F, Martone AM and Santoliquido A

Objective: Deep venous thrombosis frequently occurs in patients with neoplastic diseases. The risk is increased by approximately seven times in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis is uncommon, mainly due to central venous catheters. Thymus gland tumors are rare, representing up to 1% of all primitive tumors. Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended in presence of residual tumor after surgery.

Case Report: We report the case of a patient suffering from thymoma treated with surgery and radiotherapy, who showed echo graphic evidence of hyperechoic, endoluminal, floating formation in the innominate vein, suggestive of thrombosis that was not responsive to anticoagulant therapy.

Discussion and Conclusion: This case confirms the difficulty in diagnosing some endoluminal free-floating formations in vascular bed. Recourse to the ex adiuvantibus criterion, consisting in this case in lack of benefits with anticoagulant treatment, should be desirable.