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Superficial thrombophlebitis - Overview

Alternative Names

Thrombophlebitis - superficial

Definition of Superficial thrombophlebitis:

Superficial thrombophlebitis is inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot in a vein located just below the skin's surface.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Superficial thrombophlebitis may occur after injury to the vein or the recent use of an intravenous (IV) line. It may also develop for no apparent reason in persons at risk for the condition.

Risks for superficial thrombophlebitis include:

Chemical irritation of the area
Disorders that involve increased blood clotting
Infection
Pregnancy
Sitting or staying still for a prolonged period
Use of birth control pills
Varicose veins

Superficial thrombophlebitis may be associated with:

Abdominal cancers (such as pancreatic cancer)
Deep vein thrombosis
Factor V Leiden
Prothrombin gene mutation
Thromboangiitis obliterans

Other rare disorders associated this condition include Antithrombin III (AT-III), Protein C and Protein S deficiencies.

Superficial thrombophlebitis

Reviewed last on: 10/25/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Emile Riggs Mohler III, MD, Vascular Medicine, Associate Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Freischlag JA, Heller JA, Venous disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 68.

Bauer KA. Hypercoagulable states. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Shattil SS, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005:chap 127.

Deitcher SR. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer-related venous thrombosis. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2004:chap 46.

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