Abstract
The term unusual site thrombosis refers to the occurrence of venous thromboembolism
outside of the lower limbs and the pulmonary arteries. Unusual site thrombosis can
virtually affect any venous segment, with the most common and/or clinically relevant
sites including the upper limbs veins, the retinal veins, the splanchnic veins and
the cerebral veins. Clinical features are obviously heterogeneous, while many predisposing
factors are common, though with different prevalence among the various disorders.
Antithrombotic therapy is prescribed to most patients, but the type, intensity, and
duration of treatment vary both within and among patient groups. Increasing evidence
is supporting the use of the direct oral anticoagulants in patients with upper limb
deep vein thrombosis, cerebral vein thrombosis, and with splanchnic vein thrombosis.
This article will review available evidence on the treatment of venous thrombosis
occurring in unusual sites.
Keywords
venous thrombosis - unusual site thrombosis - anticoagulation - direct oral anticoagulants
