Phlegmasia Alba Dolens Caused by a Distended Bladder

We describe the case of a 64-year-old patient with a deep venous thrombosis unusually caused by the obstruction of a severely distended atonic bladder as a result of an iatrogenic injury. Distention of the urinary bladder has previously been described to elevate pressure in the iliac veins, but has seldom been linked to the development of deep venous thrombosis. Through this case, we want to attract attention to this major complication of bladder distention, and we emphasize the importance of proper physical examination.