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Superficial thrombophlebitis - Symptom

Alternative Names

Thrombophlebitis - superficial

Symptoms:

Skin redness or inflammation along a vein that's just below the skin
Warmth of tissue
Tenderness or pain along a vein that's just below the skin -- pain is worse when pressure is applied
Limb pain
Hardening of a the vein (induration)

Signs and tests:

Your health care provider will diagnose superficial thrombophlebitis based mainly on the appearance of the affected area. Frequent checks of the pulse, blood pressure, temperature, skin condition, and blood flow may be needed.

The following tests can help confirm the condition:

Doppler ultrasound
Duplex ultrasound
Venography

If there are signs of an infection, skin or blood cultures may be performed.

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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