The Pathology of Chronic Post-Thrombotic Venous Obstruction is not Chronic Thrombus

What is it about?

We show the morphology of the chronic thrombus

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Why is it important?

The terminology used by physicians to describe tissue is important, as it may have implications for patient care. The term “chronic thrombus” suggests that this tissue might respond to thrombolysis which, of course it will not, since there is no thrombus. This histologic analysis indicates that the term “chronic thrombus” is inaccurate, misleading, and should be abandoned. When intraluminal venous obstruction is described on imaging studies, the term “findings consistent with chronic post-thrombotic venous obstruction” appears appropriate.

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