Superficial thrombophlebitis

Background

Superficial thrombophlebitis is also known as "superficial venous thrombosis" and mainly involves symptomatic control. The disease is categorized into 4 main types:

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 thromboplebitis to require antibiotics
4. Migratory thrombophlebitis
   • Recurrent in multiple differing sites and often associated with malignancies

Differential Diagnosis

The differential depends on the location of the thrombophlebitis.

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

Upper extremity swelling

• Cellulitis
• Deep venous thrombosis
  • Paget-Schroetter syndrome
• Lymphatic obstruction
• Necrotizing fasciitis
• Superficial thrombophlebitis
• SVC Syndrome
• Thoracic outlet obstruction/Pancoast tumor

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is purely clinical.

Signs and Symptoms

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