Thrombophlebitis of superficial veins

Thrombophlebitis of superficial veins  (thrombophlebitis superficialis) is a combination of thrombosis and inflammation of the vein wall. If the varices are also affected, it is varicophlebitis.

Causes
It is often an idiopathic disorder. It can arise iatrogenically as a result of long-term cannulation, as a result of mechanical irritation or infusion of substances that irritate the endothelium. It often arises in a pathologically changed vein (varix) or in systemic diseases ( Bürger's disease, collagenoses, malignancies). Thrombophlebitis can be one of the manifestations of TEN. Less often, it is an inflammation of bacterial etiology.

Clinical Implications
Redness and a painful infiltrate appear along the vein, the area around the vein is locally warmer , often also general symptoms - temperature.

Diagnostics
Thrombophlebitis can be diagnosed by clinical examination according to local inflammatory manifestations. The extent and event can be determined sonographically. simultaneous involvement of deep veins. If thrombophlebitis is near the saphenopopliteal or saphenofemoral junction, duplex ultrasonography should be performed to rule out DVT.

Therapy
It consists of:


 * elimination of the cause, if known (e.g. infusion),
 * cold compresses and ointments with heparin,
 * general or local administration of NSAIDs ,
 * compression compress,
 * ATBs are not routinely used in uncomplicated thrombophlebitis.

Complications

 * relapses
 * if the thrombus is in the junction area, complications such as DVT are common
 * there is also a risk of PE in untreated thrombophlebitis of the proximal trunk of the saphenous vein

'''Attention! CAVE! If the localization of thrombophlebitis is within 5 cm of the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction, there is a high risk of DVT or PE and anticoagulant treatment is necessary .'''

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