A Rare Occurrence of Left Radial Vein Thrombosis in A 23- Year-Old Ghanaian Male – A Case Report.

Keywords: Deep Vein Thrombosis, Upper extremity, Thrombophlebitis, Rivaroxaban, Ghana

Abstract

The occurrence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is rare. It is usually either diagnosed late or missed entirely, leading to dire complications. It is therefore imperative to highlight the need for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion for UEDVT in patients presenting with upper limb swelling and to emphasize the immense benefit of prompt and effective therapy. We present a case of a 23-year-old Ghanaian male who presented to the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a four-day history of painful swelling of the left forearm a day after the administration of an intravenous bolus of dextrose solution of unknown concentration at a peripheral facility to correct hypoglycaemia. Physical examination revealed a tender swollen left upper limb. The superficial veins were not visible. However, neurovascular examination of the left upper limb was unremarkable. A doppler ultrasound scan showed a nearly 74% occlusion of the left radial vein. A diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left upper limb was made. The patient was started on oral rivaroxaban, an anticoagulant, at 15mg twice daily for 21 days, then 20mg daily for 3 months at which a repeat doppler ultrasound scan showed no evidence of a DVT. Early detection of DVT and prompt treatment in patients with upper extremity swelling following an intravenous procedure is crucial as thrombophlebitis may not be the only cause of all such upper limb swellings.

Author Biographies

Kwame Adu Boahen Amankwah, Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH)

Dr. Kwame Adu Boahen Amankwah is a medical officer currently working at the Child Health
Department of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. He holds a
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from the University of Ghana
Medical School.

Sheneil Agyemang, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Sheneil Agyemang is a medical officer who is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at the
University of Arizona. She is deeply passionate about research as a catalyst for preventive
medicine. Graduating in 2020 from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a
BSc in Human Biology and an MBChB, Dr. Agyemang values a holistic approach to healthcare.

Emmanuel Konadu, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Emmanuel Konadu is a physician assistant at the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology who thrives on a dual mission: providing personalised,
compassionate care and advancing medicine through evidence-based practice. His strong statistical
and technological background makes him an asset to any research team.

Phyllis Tawiah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Medicine

Dr Phyllis Tawiah is a Lecturer in the Department of Medicine and a Physician
Specialist/Geriatrician at the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology. She is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Ghana College of
Physicians

Collins Kokuro, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Medicine

Dr Collins Kokuro is a Lecturer in the Department of Medicine, KNUST and a Cardiologist at the
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi. His expertise is also in the management of venous
thromboembolism. He is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians and the Ghana
College of Physicians.

Dora Egblewogbe, West African College of Physicians.

Dr Dora Egblewogbe is a family physician who is a member of the Ghana College of Physicians
and a fellow of the West African College of Physicians. She works at the Trust Hospital in Accra
and her expertise is in the management of patients with chronic medical conditions.

Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Department of Medicine

Dr Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng is a senior lecturer in the Department of Medicine and a family
physician at the University Hospital, KNUST, Kumasi. His expertise is in the management of
patients with infectious diseases and other chronic medical conditions.

Published
2024-03-11
How to Cite
Adu Boahen Amankwah, K., Agyemang, S., Konadu, E., Tawiah, P., Kokuro, C., Egblewogbe, D., & Ayisi-Boateng, N. K. (2024). A Rare Occurrence of Left Radial Vein Thrombosis in A 23- Year-Old Ghanaian Male – A Case Report. Journal of Science and Technology, 42(1), 25 - 32. https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v42i1.1705
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Articles