Prospective study to evaluate the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury

Introduction: Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the precarious complications of spinal cord injury (SCI). The present study was aimed to determine the incidence of DVT in acute traumatic SCI in the Indian population, factors associated with DVT, and to evaluate the role of D-dimer and color Doppler in establishing the diagnosis. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with acute SCI presenting to a tertiary care center within 48 h of injury were clinically evaluated for the level, extent, and severity of SCI according to the ASIA standards. The local examination for the assessment of DVT was conducted. D-dimer test and color Doppler for DVT were performed at initial presentation, on day 7 and 14, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: Three patients developed DVT between 14 days to 1 month. Overall DVT incidence was found to be 6%. Neurological level (P < 0.05) and the severity of the deficit (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with DVT. Patients with DVT had significantly more thigh and calf circumference at 1 month. Significantly higher levels of D-dimer were observed right from initial presentations to 6 months. Color Doppler was positive in all the three cases of DVT. Conclusions: The incidence of DVT is low in SCI patients in India, but it is not a rare complication. The occurrence of DVT has a significant correlation with factors such as the level and severity of injury. Frequent clinical examinations including the thigh and calf circumference along with D-dimer level estimation are good screening indicators, and color Doppler is an effective tool for establishing a definitive diagnosis of DVT in SCI patients.