An unusual presentation of acute pulmonary embolism secondary to upper-extremity deep-vein thrombosis

Abstract

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) secondary to congenital venous malformation of the upper limb is a rare clinical entity. Clinical manifestation may range from vague shoulder discomfort to features of superior vena cava or thoracic outlet syndrome. We report a case of a 43-year-old adult patient who presented with acute coronary syndrome and on evaluation was diagnosed with acute PE secondary to upper-extremity deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). Magnetic resonance venogram of the right upper limb revealed congenital venous malformation, with thrombus as the cause of DVT.