Superficial thrombophlebitis

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Superficial thrombophlebitis

Superficial thrombophlebitis

• Skin redness or inflammation along a superficial vein
• Warmth of tissue around a superficial vein
• Tenderness or pain along a superficial vein (worse when pressure is applied)
• Limb pain
• Hardening of a superficial vein (induration) -- the vein feels cord-like

Your health care provider will diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis based primarily on the appearance of the extremity. Frequent checks of the pulse, blood pressure, temperature, skin condition, and circulation may be required.

The diagnosis of superficial thrombophlebitis may be confirmed with the following tests:

• Doppler ultrasound
• Duplex ultrasound
• Venography

If infection is suspected, cultures of the skin or blood cultures may be performed.

Superficial thrombophlebitis may be associated with deficient blood levels of:

• Antithrombin III (AT-III)
• Protein C (PC)
• Protein S (PS)

Review Date: 09/11/2006
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.