Post-assault brachial vein thrombosis in an adolescent female: Diagnosis by CT angiography
Research article published in Radiology case reports (2026)
Abstract
Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is an uncommon clinical entity in adolescents, most often linked to central venous catheters or hypercoagulable states. Trauma-induced UEDVT is rare and challenging to diagnose due to nonspecific clinical signs that can mimic infection or soft tissue injury. We report an 18-year-old female who developed post-traumatic swelling and tenderness of the right forearm after being beaten by her school teacher. Initial non-contrast CT revealed subcutaneous edema without fracture. Subsequent CT angiography identified right brachial vein thrombosis with prominent collateral veins, confirming venous outflow obstruction. Early diagnosis allowed timely initiation of anticoagulation therapy, preventing complications. This case emphasizes CT angiography's diagnostic value in evaluating post-assault upper limb vascular injuries.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to medicinal leech therapy and its biology. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This case report describes an 18-year-old woman who developed post-traumatic right forearm swelling and tenderness after being beaten, in whom non-contrast CT showed subcutaneous edema without fracture while CT angiography confirmed right brachial vein thrombosis with prominent collateral veins, allowing timely anticoagulation and avoidance of complications. For hirudotherapy the link is indirect, illustrating upper-extremity venous outflow obstruction and thrombosis in a limb, the broad clinical territory of venous congestion where leech therapy is sometimes considered, and reinforcing the primacy of imaging-guided diagnosis and systemic anticoagulation. Caveat: this is a single case report on trauma-induced upper-extremity deep venous thrombosis diagnosed by imaging; it does not study, mention, or evaluate hirudotherapy, and single cases cannot establish causation or generalizable practice.
Citation
Post-assault brachial vein thrombosis in an adolescent female: Diagnosis by CT angiography.
Sumawe J · Radiology case reports, 2026
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