Superficial thrombophlebitis
(Redirected from Thrombophlebitis)
Background
- Also known as "superficial venous thrombosis"
- More likely in patients with varicose veins[1]
- Associated DVT is rare and usually only occurs at the junctions with deep venous system such as the groin[2]
Types[3]
- Sterile thrombophlebitis - No infectious association
- Traumatic superficial thrombophlebitis - Associated with limb injury from blunt trauma, IV catheters or chemical treatment
- Infection thrombophlebitis - Associated with prolonged IVs and is the only thrombophlebitis to require antibiotics
- Migratory thrombophlebitis - Recurrent in multiple differing sites and often associated with malignancies
Clinical Features
- Pain and discoloration of affected area
- Redness surrounding superficial vein
- Tender and hard vein on palpation
- Minimal limb swelling
Differential Diagnosis
Depends on the location
Calf pain
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Calcaneal bursitis
- Cellulitis
- Compartment syndrome
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
- Distal leg fractures
- Gastrocnemius strain
- Ruptured popliteal cyst (Bakers cyst)
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
Upper extremity swelling
- Cellulitis
- Deep venous thrombosis
- Lymphatic obstruction
- Necrotizing fasciitis
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- SVC Syndrome
- Thoracic outlet obstruction/Pancoast tumor
Groin pain
Evaluation
- Diagnosis is purely clinical
- D-dimer has no clinical benefit and only consider DVT evaluation if there is significant limb swelling or location near 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[5]
- More recent data suggests this approach[6]:
- Small clots can be treated with compression, NSAIDs, elevation, follow up within 7-10 days to evaluate for progression
- Clots > 5 cm should be treated with anticoagulation, enoxaparin 40 mg subQ QD for 45 days
- Clots within 5 cm of sapheno-femoral junction should be treated like a DVT
Disposition
- Discharge
External Links
See Also
References
- ↑ Leon L et al. Clinical significance of superficial vein thrombosis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2005;29:10-17.
- ↑ Bergqvist D, Jaroszewski H. Deep vein thrombosis in patients with superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. BMJ 1986;292:658-9.
- ↑ Nasr H, Scriven JM. Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis). BMJ. 2015;350:h2039. doi:10.1136/bmj.h2039.
- ↑ http://www.thepocusatlas.com/soft-tissue-vascular/
- ↑ Di Nisio M, et al. Treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;4:CD004982.
- ↑ Cosmi B. Management of superficial vein thrombosis. Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH. 13(7):1175-83. 2015. PMID: 25903684