Superficial thrombophlebitis: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
Superficial thrombophlebitis is also known as "superficial venous thrombosis" and mainly involves symptomatic control. It is more likely in patients with varicose veins<ref>Leon left et al. Clinical significance of superficial vein thrombosis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;29:10-17.</ref>  Associated [[DVT]]usually only occurs at the junctions with deep venous system such as the groin<ref>Bergqvist D, Jaroszewski H. Deep vein thrombosis in patients with superficial
Superficial thrombophlebitis is also known as "superficial venous thrombosis" and mainly involves symptomatic control. It is more likely in patients with varicose veins<ref>Leon L et al. Clinical significance of superficial vein thrombosis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;29:10-17.</ref>  Associated [[DVT]]usually only occurs at the junctions with deep venous system such as the groin<ref>Bergqvist D, Jaroszewski H. Deep vein thrombosis in patients with superficial
thrombophlebitis of the leg. BMJ 1986;292:658-9.</ref>
thrombophlebitis of the leg. BMJ 1986;292:658-9.</ref>



Revision as of 21:32, 27 February 2017

Background

Superficial thrombophlebitis is also known as "superficial venous thrombosis" and mainly involves symptomatic control. It is more likely in patients with varicose veins[1] Associated DVTusually only occurs at the junctions with deep venous system such as the groin[2]

Types[3]

  1. Sterile thrombophlebitis
    • No infectious association
  2. Traumatic superficial thrombophlebitis
    • Associated with limb injury from blunt trauma, IV catheters or chemical treatment
  3. Infection thrombophlebitis
    • Associated with prolonged IVs and is the only thrombophlebitis to require antibiotics
  4. Migratory thrombophlebitis
    • Recurrent in multiple differing sites and often associated with malignancies

Clinical Features

  • Pain and discoloration to affected area
  • Redness affected superficial vein
  • Tender and hard vein on palpation
  • Minimal limb swelling

Differential Diagnosis

The differential depends on the location of the thrombophlebitis.

Calf pain

Upper Extremity Pain

Upper extremity swelling

Groin Pain

Groin pain

Evaluation

  • Diagnosis is purely clinical
    • D-dimer has no clinical benefit and only consider DVTevaluation if there is significant limb swelling or location at a deep vein (popliteal/femoral vein)

Management

  • NSAIDs for local pain
  • Antibiotics are only needed if there is an associated cellulitis or obvious infection
  • Little evidence for anticoagulation unless associated with a DVT[4]

Disposition

  • Outpatient follow-up for evaluation of resolution of symptoms

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Leon L et al. Clinical significance of superficial vein thrombosis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;29:10-17.
  2. Bergqvist D, Jaroszewski H. Deep vein thrombosis in patients with superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. BMJ 1986;292:658-9.
  3. Nasr H, Scriven JM. Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis). BMJ. 2015;350:h2039. doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039.
  4. Di Nisio M, et al. Treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;4:CD004982.