Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammatory condition of the veins due to a blood clot just below the surface of the skin. It usually occurs in the legs, but it can occasionally occur in the arms and neck. Anyone can develop superficial thrombophlebitis, but females are affected more than males.

Symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis include:

•             redness and inflammation of the skin along a vein

•             warmth of the skin and tissue around the vein

•             tenderness and pain that worsens with added pressure

•             pain in the limb

•             darkening of the skin over the vein

•             hardening of the vein

Several factors increase the risk of developing superficial thrombophlebitis. The more common risk factors include:

•             catheter, or injection into a vein

•             sitting or lying down for too long, such as on a long flight

•             varicose veins

•             pregnancy

•             infection

•             disorders that increase blood clotting

Superficial thrombophlebitis is also associated with more serious medical conditions, including:

•             deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in a deep vein

•             cancers of the abdomen, such as pancreatic cancer

•             Factor V Leiden, a genetic blood clotting disorder

•             prothrombin gene mutation, a gene mutation that causes a blood clotting disorder

•             thromboangiitis obliterans, a blockage of the blood vessels in the hands and feet

Diagnosis:

Your doctor will examine the affected area and the skin. They will also check your: pulse

blood pressure

blood flow

temperature

Your doctor may also perform the following tests:

Venography. This rarely used type of X-ray captures images of your blood flow by injecting a special dye into your veins.

Doppler ultrasound. This is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to measure blood flow and blood pressure.

Duplex ultrasound. This procedure uses a combination of Doppler ultrasound and traditional ultrasound to capture pictures of your blood flow.

Media Contact
John Mathews
Journal Manager
Journal of Phlebology and Lymphology
Email: phlebology@eclinicalsci.com