We report the sudden death of a 23-year-old male with hairline ankle fracture after massage of the leg by his mother. Autopsy confirmed the cause of death as pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis of the leg veins which was dislodged and travelled to his lungs consequent to the leg massage. The treating doctors did not warn the patient of the risk of developing pulmonary thromboembolism.
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ChenLSoaresD. Fatal pulmonary embolism following ankle fracture in a 17-year-old girl. J Bone Joint Surg Br2006; 88: 400–401.
