Background: Venous thromboembolism, specifically pulmonary embolism, is a rare complication following elective pediatric orthopedic surgery. Bilateral pulmonary embolism with associated pulmonary hemorrhage/infarct without concomitant deep vein thrombosis has never been reported following routine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in an adolescent. Case presentation: A 16-year-old white girl presented with acute onset shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain 6 days following elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. After performing a thorough work-up, she was diagnosed as having provoked bilateral pulmonary embolism with associated pulmonary hemorrhage without concomitant deep vein thrombosis. She was treated successfully with 3 months of anticoagulation therapy with daily Lovenox (enoxaparin) injections. Conclusions: Symptomatic bilateral pulmonary embolism may have a good prognosis if it is diagnosed early and treated appropriately. It is important to appreciate the risk of provoked thromboembolic events in healthy adolescents undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.
CITATION STYLE
Bourget-Murray, J., Clarke, M. A., Gorzitza, S., & Phillips, L. A. (2018, July 6). Symptomatic bilateral pulmonary embolism without deep venous thrombosis in an adolescent following arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A case report and review of the literature. Journal of Medical Case Reports. BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-018-1726-8
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