[Deep-vein thrombosis despite a low D-Dimer level]

Abstract

Objective: Deep-vein thrombosis is common but not easy to diagnose. It is generally considered that the diagnosis can be ruled out in subjects with a D-Dimer level lower than a reference threshold value. We report a case where this hypothesis was misleading.

Method: An 89-year-old man was hospitalized for a pain in his left lower leg, which had been persistent for 5 days.

Results: The venous duplex ultrasound found two recent deep-vein thrombi in this leg while the D-Dimer level was lower than 220 UI/ml at admission.

Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of prudent interpretation of the serum D-Dimer level.