Extensive Upper-extremity Venous Thrombosis After Fluorescein Angiography

Purpose

To report a case of extensive cephalic and basilic venous thrombosis after fluorescein angiography.

Design

Interventional case report.

Methods

A 38-year-old Chinese male presented with blurring of vision in his left eye. Clinical examination revealed central serous retinopathy, and a routine fluorescein angiography was performed.

Results

He developed inflammation over the right arm over 4 days. Duplex scan disclosed extensive superficial venous thrombosis of the right upper limb with occlusion of the basilic vein and cephalic vein in the proximal right upper arm to the level of the midarm. He was treated medically but was subsequently lost to follow-up.

Conclusions

Extensive upper-extremity venous thrombosis is infrequent after single-shot intravenous cannulation. Venous thrombosis occurring after fluorescein angiography has not been reported up to this time. It is possible that proper arm positioning during the procedure may reduce this risk, and ophthalmologists should be vigilant of this potentially unusual complication.