Phlegmasia cerulea dolens in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia—a case report

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD), a rare condition caused by deep venous thrombosis of the extremities and characterized by sudden massive edema, severe intractable pain, and purple ecchymoses, may result in arterial and venous compromise, amputation, and death. The causes of PCD vary and there is no consensus regarding optimal treatment. We describe what we believe is the first reported case of PCD in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The condition was treated successfully with thromboembolectomy performed after temporary placement of an inferior vena cava filter to prevent intraoperative pulmonary embolism. The thromboembolectomy specimen consisted of leukemic tumor emboli.