An unusual case of chest pain: ultrasonographic diagnosis of Mondor’s disease

Abstract

Mondor’s disease is characterized by superficial thrombophlebitis affecting the subcutaneous veins, especially those of the anterolateral thoracoabdominal wall. Thrombophlebitis is usually a subcutaneous, tender, painful cord-like induration, usually found in the breast or the axilla. It typically affects middle-aged women. Thus, we believe the case of a 48-year-old male patient admitted to the emergency room for chest pain with a palpable, non-erythematous, and painful cord-like structure localized in the anterior chest wall and the abdomen to be of interest. He had had a mild thoracic trauma. Doppler analysis showed a thrombosis of the superficial vein of the thorax. The patient was treated by Fondaparinux Sodium 2.5 mg subcutaneously per day for 30 days. Evolution was favorable. Although uncommon, Mondor’s disease has to be recognized to avoid useless diagnosis testing and to deliver a specific treatment.

Keywords

• Mondor’s disease, ultrasonography, doppler examination, thromboplebitis, therapeutics