Superficial vein thrombophlebitis

Last reviewed: 2 Sep 2023
Last updated: 23 Mar 2021

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • previous superficial vein thrombophlebitis (SVT), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • redness/erythema of overlying skin
  • hot/warm overlying skin
  • painful/tender over affected vein
  • swelling/edema of surrounding area
  • cord-like mass palpable
  • development of symptoms over hours to days
  • signs/symptoms of concomitant DVT or PE
More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • varicose veins
  • history of thrombophilic disorders
  • autoimmune diseases (e.g., Behcet and Buerger disease)
  • recent vein instrumentation (e.g., sclerotherapy)
  • recent vein cannulation and intravenous drug administration
  • low-grade fever
  • pigmentation changes
Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • varicose veins
  • thrombophilic disorders
  • autoimmune diseases (e.g., Behcet and Buerger disease)
  • prior history of SVT
  • female sex
  • sclerotherapy
  • intravenous catheterization
  • malignancy
  • pregnancy
  • use of oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy
  • older age
  • history of prior VTE, including DVT and PE
  • obesity
  • prolonged immobilization (e.g., long-haul air travel)
More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • Doppler ultrasonography
More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • biopsy
  • pulmonary CT angiography
  • ventilation perfusion (VQ) scan
  • conventional pulmonary angiography
  • assessment for malignancy
  • thrombophilia screening
More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

INITIAL

extension into the femoral vein or popliteal vein, <2 cm from the saphenofemoral junction, or concomitant DVT or PE

ACUTE

SVT: ≥5 cm in length and/or within 3-5 cm of the saphenofemoral junction

SVT: <5 cm in length on localized venous ectasia (varicophlebitis), not within 3-5 cm of the saphenofemoral junction, no risk factors for VTE

SVT: <5 cm in length on localized venous ectasia (varicophlebitis), not within 3-5 cm of the saphenofemoral junction, at least one risk factor for VTE

ONGOING

recurrent SVT with extensive varicose veins

Contributors

Authors

Vicky Tagalakis, MD, FRCPC, MSc
Vicky Tagalakis

Associate Professor

Department of Medicine

McGill University

Montreal

Canada

Disclosures

VT has received reimbursement for advisory board work for Servier and Pzifer. Both of these companies are makers of anticoagulants. VT has received an investigator-initiated grant from Sanofi, manufacturer of Enoxaparin.

Acknowledgements

Professor Vicky Tagalakis would like to gratefully acknowledge Frédérique St-Pierre, a medical student who worked with her to update this topic. FSP declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Francois Becker, MD, PhD

Consultant

Division of Angiology and Hemostasis

University Hospital of Geneva

Geneva

Switzerland

Disclosures

FB declares that he has no competing interests.

Michael Bromberg, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine

Section of Hematology

Director of Hematologic Malignancies

Temple University School of Medicine

Philadelphia

PA

Disclosures

MB declares that he has no competing interests.

Louis Aledort, MD

The Mary Weinfeld Professor of Clinical Research in Hemophilia

Mount Sinai School of Medicine

New York

NY

Disclosures

LA declares that he has no competing interests.

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