Skip to main content

Superficial Thrombophlebitis

Milap Dubal, MPH, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Superficial thrombophlebitis refers to a thrombosis-related inflammatory process of superficial veins.

  • Most common in the lower extremities with 60-80% of total cases involving the gr...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Patients classically complain of a section of firm, warm, and painful skin in a cord like segment. This segment overlies the affected superficial vein. Patients may have risk-factors ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Patients with concomitant VTE should be treated per VTE standard of care

  • Suppurative thrombophlebitis treatment depends on source of infection, with typical treatment requirin...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Septic: routine WBC count and differential. Target treatment based on culture result

  • Aseptic

    • Some experts recommend follow up D-dimer to ensure de...

REFERENCES

1
Nasr  H, Scriven  JM. Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis). BMJ.  2015; 350: h2039.  [View Abstract]
2
Beyer‐Westendo...

ADDITIONAL READING

Di Nisio M, Middeldorp S. Treatment of lower extremity superficial thrombophlebitis. JAMA. 2014;311(7):729– 730.  

SEE ALSO

Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis 

CODES

ICD10

  • I80.9 Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of unspecified site

  • I80.00 Phlbts and thombophlb of superfic vessels of unsp low extrm

  • I80.8 Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of other sites

  • D68.59 Other pri...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Mild superficial thrombophlebitis is typically self-limiting and responds well to conservative care.

  • High-risk superficial thrombophlebitis should be treated with anticoagulation due to...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×