# Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens in a 21-Year-Old Female Patient Following Depo-Provera Injection: A Case Report

**Authors:** Shadrack Ansong, Julianne Meany, Chinazor Umerah, Chika Okafor

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.79426 · Cureus · 2025-02-21

## TL;DR

A 21-year-old woman developed a rare blood clot condition after a Depo-Provera injection, requiring urgent treatment and highlighting the need for careful monitoring.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a potential link between Depo-Provera and phlegmasia cerulea dolens, a rare form of deep vein thrombosis.

## Key findings

- The patient developed extensive DVT and pulmonary embolisms following a Depo-Provera injection.
- Multidisciplinary interventions including thrombectomy and thrombolysis led to favorable outcomes.
- The case underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and management in similar cases.

## Abstract

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare and severe form of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with limb ischemia. We present the case of a 21-year-old female patient who presented with lower extremity numbness, pain, and swelling, accompanied by pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. She had a recent history of receiving a Depo-Provera shot for birth control. Diagnostic assessments revealed an extensive femoral-to-popliteal DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolisms. The patient underwent a series of interventions, including thrombectomy, catheter-directed thrombolysis, and repeat thrombectomy with venoplasty. She was discharged on anticoagulation therapy and showed favorable outcomes during her hospital stay. This case highlights the potential association between Depo-Provera use and the development of PCD, emphasizing the importance of prompt diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and follow-up care.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** pulmonary embolisms (MESH:D011655), PCD (MESH:D013924), numbness (MESH:D006987), pain (MESH:D010146), limb ischemia (MESH:D007511), swelling (MESH:D004487), shortness of breath (MESH:D004417), DVT (MESH:D020246), chest pain (MESH:D002637)
- **Chemicals:** Depo-Provera (MESH:D017258)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11930855/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11930855