Wikipedia

Superficial thrombophlebitis

Superficial thrombophlebitis is a thrombosis and inflammation of superficial veins presenting as a painful induration (thickening) with erythema, often in a linear or branching configuration with a cordlike appearance.[2]: 826–7 [3]

Superficial thrombophlebitis
Other namesSuperficial vein thrombosis (SVT)
Superficial thrombophlebitis as seen by ultrasound[1]

Superficial thrombophlebitis is due to inflammation and/or thrombosis, and,less commonly, infection of the vein. It is generally a benign, self-limiting disorder; however, it can be complicated by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and even pulmonary embolism (PE)[4] Migratory superficial thrombophlebitis is known as Trousseau's syndrome, which can be an early sign of cancer.[5]

When it (rarely) occurs on the breast or anterior chest wall it has been called Mondor's disease. It sometimes occurs in the arm or penis.[2]: 827 [6] In axilla, this condition is known as axillary web syndrome.[7][8]

Eponym

edit

Mondor's disease is named after Henri Mondor (1885–1962), a surgeon in Paris, France who first described the disease in 1939.[9][10]

Signs and symptoms

edit

Findings of tenderness, induration, pain, or erythema (redness) along the course of a superficial vein usually establish a clinical diagnosis, especially in patients with known risk factors. In addition, there is often a palpable, sometimes nodular "cord", due to thrombus (blood clot) within the affected vein. Persistence of this cord when the extremity is raised suggests the presence of thrombus.[11]

On the chest wall, patients with this disease often have abrupt onset of superficial pain, with possible swelling and redness of a limited area of their anterior chest wall or breast. There is usually a lump present, which may be somewhat linear and tender. Because of the possibility of the lump being from another cause, patients are often referred for mammogram and/or breast ultrasound.[12]

Complications

edit

Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) extension to the deep vein system and/or recurrence of SVT.

Suppurative thrombophlebitis is suspected when erythema extends significantly beyond the margin of the vein and is likely to be associated with significant fever. If suspected, antibiotic treatment, surgical drainage, and potentially vein excision are indicated.[13]

Venous thromboembolism can occur with superficial vein thrombosis. Estimates of the percentage of patients with SVT who also have DVT vary between 6% and 53%, and symptomatic pulmonary embolism has been reported in 0% to 10% of patients with SVT.[4] Deep venous system, and may lead to pulmonary embolism.[14]

On the breast, there have been occasional cases of associated cancer.[15]

Risk factors

edit

Patient characteristics and predisposing factors for thrombophlebitis nearly mirror those for DVT; thrombophlebitis is a risk factor for the development of DVT, and vice versa.[16]

Lower extremity superficial phlebitis (inflamed vein) is associated with conditions that increase the risk of thrombosis, including abnormalities of coagulation or of fibrinolysis, endothelial dysfunction, infection, venous stasis, intravenous therapy, and intravenous drug use.[11]

Diagnosis

edit
Blood clot seen on ultrasound of the dorsal penile vein[17]

Clinical evaluation is the primary diagnostic tool for thrombophlebitis. People with thrombophlebitis complain of pain along the affected area. Some report constitutional symptoms, such as low-grade fever and aches. On physical examination, the skin over the affected vein exhibits erythema, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Later in the disease, as induration subsides, erythema gives way to a ruddy or bruised color.[18]

Duplex ultrasound identifies the presence, location and extent of venous thrombosis, and can help identify other pathology that may be a source of the patient's complaints. Ultrasound is indicated if superficial phlebitis involves or extends into the proximal one-third of the medial thigh, there is evidence for clinical extension of phlebitis, lower extremity swelling is greater than would be expected from a superficial phlebitis alone or diagnosis of superficial thrombophlebitis in question.[11]

Treatment

edit

Treatment with compression stockings should be offered to patients with lower extremity superficial phlebitis, if not contraindicated (e.g., peripheral artery disease). Patients may find them helpful for reducing swelling and pain once the acute inflammation subsides.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are effective in relieving the pain associated with venous inflammation and were found in a randomized trial to significantly decrease extension and/or recurrence of superficial vein thrombosis.[19]

Anticoagulation for patients with lower extremity superficial thrombophlebitis at increased risk for thromboembolism (affected venous segment of ≥5 cm, in proximity to deep venous system, positive medical risk factors).[20]

Treatment with fondaparinux reduces the risk of subsequent venous thromboembolism.[21]

Surgery reserved for extension of the clot to within 1 cm of the saphenofemoral junction in patients deemed unreliable for anticoagulation, failure of anticoagulation and patients with intense pain.[18] Surgical therapy with ligation of saphenofemoral junction or stripping of thrombosed superficial veins appears to be associated higher rates of venous thromboembolism compared with treatment with anticoagulants.[22]

Epidemiology

edit

Some 125,000 cases a year have been reported in the United States, but actual incidence of spontaneous thrombophlebitis is unknown.[23] A fourfold increased incidence from the third to the eight decade in men and a preponderance among women of approximately 55-70%.[24] The average mean age of affected patients is 60 years.[16]

Thrombophlebitis can develop along the arm, back, or neck veins, the leg is by far the most common site. When it occurs in the leg, the great saphenous vein is usually involved, although other locations are possible.[18]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Smith B (27 March 2015). "UOTW #42". Ultrasound of the Week. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b James WD, Elston DM, Berger TG, Andrews GC (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
  3. ^ Rapini RP, Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
  4. ^ a b Decousus H, Quéré I, Presles E, Becker F, Barrellier MT, Chanut M, Gillet JL, Guenneguez H, Leandri C, Mismetti P, Pichot O, Leizorovicz A (February 2010). "Superficial venous thrombosis and venous thromboembolism: a large, prospective epidemiologic study". Annals of Internal Medicine. 152 (4): 218–24. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-152-4-201002160-00006. PMID 20157136. S2CID 55403187.
  5. ^ Creager M, Loscalzo J, Beckman JA (30 August 2012). Vascular Medicine: A Companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 141. ISBN 9781455737369.
  6. ^ "Penile Mondor's Disease (PMD)". umiamihealth.org. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  7. ^ Shoham Y, Rosenberg N, Krieger Y, Silberstein E, Arnon O, Bogdanov-Berezovsky A (December 2011). "[Axillary web syndrome--a variant of Mondor's disease, following excision of an accessory breast]". Harefuah (in Hebrew). 150 (12): 893–4, 937, 936. PMID 22352279.
  8. ^ Harris SR (April 2018). "Axillary Web Syndrome in Breast Cancer: A Prevalent But Under-Recognized Postoperative Complication". Breast Care. 13 (2): 132–135. doi:10.1159/000485023. PMC 5981636. PMID 29887791.
  9. ^ Mondor H (1939). "Tronculite sous-cutanée subaiguë de la paroi thoracique antérolatérale" [Subacute subcutaneous trunculitis of the anterolateral chest wall.]. Mém. Acad. Chir. (in French). 65: 1271–1278.
  10. ^ Smith RP, Turek P (2011-02-15). Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Reproductive System. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 293. ISBN 978-1-4377-3648-9.
  11. ^ a b c Fernandez L, Scovell S, Eidt JF, Mills JL, Collins KA (2011). "Superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity". UpToDate. Waltham, MA.
  12. ^ Shetty MK, Watson AB (October 2001). "Mondor's disease of the breast: sonographic and mammographic findings". AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology. 177 (4): 893–896. doi:10.2214/ajr.177.4.1770893. PMID 11566698.
  13. ^ Davidović L, Kostić D, Lotina S, Cinara I (1990). "[Indications for surgical treatment of acute superficial thrombophlebitis]". Srpski Arhiv Za Celokupno Lekarstvo. 118 (11–12): 471–3. PMID 2133604.
  14. ^ Menesez N. "Superficial thrombophebitis". MedScape. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  15. ^ Catania S, Zurrida S, Veronesi P, Galimberti V, Bono A, Pluchinotta A (May 1992). "Mondor's disease and breast cancer". Cancer. 69 (9): 2267–2270. doi:10.1002/1097-0142(19920501)69:9<2267::aid-cncr2820690910>3.0.co;2-u. hdl:2434/892627. PMID 1562972. S2CID 38025663.
  16. ^ a b Decousus H, Epinat M, Guillot K, Quenet S, Boissier C, Tardy B (September 2003). "Superficial vein thrombosis: risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment". Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 9 (5): 393–7. doi:10.1097/00063198-200309000-00009. PMID 12904709. S2CID 8778278.
  17. ^ "UOTW #43 - Ultrasound of the Week". Ultrasound of the Week. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  18. ^ a b c Karwowski JK (November 2007). "How to manage thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities: why this malady warrants close attention". Contemporary Surgery. 63 (11): 552–8.
  19. ^ Superficial Thrombophlebitis Treated By Enoxaparin Study Group (July 2003). "A pilot randomized double-blind comparison of a low-molecular-weight heparin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, and placebo in the treatment of superficial vein thrombosis". Archives of Internal Medicine. 163 (14): 1657–63. doi:10.1001/archinte.163.14.1657. PMID 12885680.
  20. ^ Kearon C, Kahn SR, Agnelli G, Goldhaber S, Raskob GE, Comerota AJ (June 2008). "Antithrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolic disease: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)". Chest. 133 (6 Suppl): 454S–545S. doi:10.1378/chest.08-0658. PMID 18574272.
  21. ^ Di Nisio M, Wichers IM, Middeldorp S (February 2018). "Treatment for superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018 (2): CD004982. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004982.pub6. PMC 6491080. PMID 29478266.
  22. ^ Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN, Errichi BM, Cesarone MR, De Sanctis MT, Incandela L, Venniker R (July 1999). "Superficial thrombophlebitis of the legs: a randomized, controlled, follow-up study". Angiology. 50 (7): 523–9. doi:10.1177/000331979905000701. PMID 10431991. S2CID 41619126.
  23. ^ Blumenberg RM, Barton E, Gelfand ML, Skudder P, Brennan J (February 1998). "Occult deep venous thrombosis complicating superficial thrombophlebitis". Journal of Vascular Surgery. 27 (2): 338–43. doi:10.1016/S0741-5214(98)70364-7. PMID 9510288.
  24. ^ Coon WW, Willis PW, Keller JB (October 1973). "Venous thromboembolism and other venous disease in the Tecumseh community health study". Circulation. 48 (4): 839–46. doi:10.1161/01.cir.48.4.839. PMID 4744789.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Superficial_thrombophlebitis&oldid=1226050645"
  NODES
COMMUNITY 1
INTERN 2
Note 1