Diagnosis and treatment of lower limb deep venous thrombosis after severe craniocerebral trauma

Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after severe craniocerebral trauma. Methods Thirty-seven cases of DVT in the lower limbs following severe craniocerebral trauma treated in our hospital between December 2003 and December 2008 were reviewed. Results All the 37 patients received anticoagnlation therapy. Thrombolytic agents were administered in 18 patients, and 14 patients underwent implantation of inferior vena cava filter. Except for one fatal case, all the cases showed relief of lower limb swelling and pain after the treatments. Eleven patients were cured, 21 showed significant improvement, and 4 had moderate improvement. Conclusions Patients sustaining craniocerebral injury are at high risk of DVT in the lower limbs, for which vascular color Doppler ultrasonography, venography, and digital subtraction angiography are effective diagnostic modalities. Anticoagulation therapy remains the primary treatment of DVT in the lower limb, and implantation of inferior vena cava filter proves valuable for preventing pulmonary embolism. Early prevention of lower limb DVT can be of vital importance. Key words: Craniocerebral trauma;  Deep venous thrombosis