An acutely painful elbow as a first presentation of von Willebrand's disease

Description: A 26 year old woman presented to the accident and emergency department with a painful right elbow. There had been no history of trauma. Clinical examination suggested an effusion, which was confirmed on radiological examination. Her elbow was aspirated and revealed a haemarthrosis. Subsequent investigations revealed a diagnosis of von Willebrand's disease (vWD). A spontaneously occurring effusion of the elbow may be due to a haemarthrosis. Aspiration of blood in the absence of trauma may lead to a diagnosis of an occult coagulopathy in addition to relieving pain. The diagnosis and treatment of vWD is discussed.
An acutely painful elbow as a first presentation of von Willebrand's disease. Poncia HD, Ryan J. J Accid Emerg Med. 1999 Mar;16(2):153-4.