Pulmonary Embolism Secondary ToPara-Inflammatory Thrombosis Of The Iliac Veins

Abstract

Background: Acute inflammatory diseases are known risk factors for the development of deep vein thrombosis and consecutive venous thrombembolic disease. Virchow described a triad of changes in the blood viscosity, alterations of the vascular endothelium and changes of the laminar blood flow as causative for the manifestation of DVT. Methods: Here we present a retrospective analysis of 8 patient cases with thrombosis of the entire inferior Vena cava and pulmonary embolism orginating from DVT of the internal iliac veins that were in imminite proximity to abscess formations in the ilio-psoatic muscles. Results: The abscesses seem to originate from injections into the ileo-sacral joints and spondylodiscitis. All patients were suffering from spondylarthrosis and degenerative disease of bones and cartilage. Conclusions: As a rare complication following the injection of analgetic drugs or corticosteroids into the gluteus muscles or the ileo-sacral joint devastating infections in the retroperitoneal space may occur. The initial presentation of these abscesses can be difficult to interprete. Buttock claudicatio must lead to the suspicion of abnormalities in the vascular inflow/outflow from the (internal) iliac arteries and veins.