ABSTRACT
Of all cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), the veins of the upper limb are involved in
1-4% (1-6) with “Primary thrombosis” or Paget-Schroetter Syndrome (PSS), accounting
for approximately 20% of these in recent series. When Paget and Schroetter independently
described their syndrome the underlying causes were mostly obscure but by now an
underlying pathology can often be found. These include an association with inherited or
acquired disorders of coagulation and abnormality or variations in the anatomy of the
thoracic outlet (7). Approximately 40% of upper limb DVT is secondary to indwelling
catheters. This form of thrombosis is referred to as secondary thrombosis.
