Superficial Thrombophlebitis, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Superficial Thrombophlebitis, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesThrombophlebitis is an inflamed distended vein due to a blood clot. Superficial indicates that the veins are just below the skin's surface. Superficial thrombophlebitis happens when a superficial vein (normally the long saphenous vein of the leg or its tributaries) becomes inflamed and the blood inside it clots.
It may be spontaneous or linked with one or more risk factors - e.g., varicose veins. It is normally a benign self-limiting disease but it can be complicated to treat and slow to resolveCausesThis disorder may happen after damage to the vein. Or it may happen following the giving the medicines given into the veinsThe three cardinal risk factors (Virchow's triad) are:1. Injury to the blood vessel wall (as a result of trauma, infection, or inflammation).2.
Stasis of blood flow.3. Hyper-coagulability of blood. Other specific risk factors are:1. Obesity.2. Thrombophilia.3. Smoking.4. Oral contraceptives.5. Pregnancy6. Intravenous drug abuse. SymptomsThere are numerous different manifestations of superficial thrombophlebitis:1. Superficial thrombophlebitis normally happens in the lower limbs (greater saphenous vein) but happens also in the penis and the breast (Mondor's disease).2.
Traumatic thrombophlebitis accompanies an injury or during intravenous injectionThere is a tender hard cord along the course of a injured or varicose vein and bruisingA small lump may appear days or weeks after the injection needle has been removed and it can take months to resolve completelyThere is:1. Skin redness, tenderness, or pain along a vein just below the skin, and inflammation, 2. Warmth of the area3.
Limb pain4. Hardening of the veinDiagnosisThe doctor will diagnose this disorder based mainly on the appearance of the involved vein. Ultrasound of the blood vessels helps substantiate the disorder. If there are signs of an infection, skin or blood cultures may be done. TreatmentGeneral measuresElastic support of the limb decreases swelling and relieves discomfort. The affected extremity should be raised if possible and large, warm compresses may be applied, even though the evidence for their success is limited and care must be taken to prevent burning the patientExercise decreases pain and the probability of DVT.
Only in patients in whom pain is very severe is bed rest required. PharmacologicalThe topical analgesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams used locally to the superficial vein thrombosis/superficial thrombophlebitis area stops symptoms. Hirudoid cream (heparinoid) reduces the duration of signs/symptomsAn intermediate dose of low molecular weight heparin for at least a month might be advisedFondaparinux at a dose of 2.5 mg once a day for 45 days has been documented to lower the danger of pulmonary embolism (PE) or DVT by 85%.
Antibiotics are only needed if there is presence of infectionSurgicalIf there are repeat occurrences of the thrombophlebitis linked with extensive varicose veins, they should be excised and ligatedThere is a need for surgical resection (phlebectomy), stripping or sclerotherapy of the affected vein. These treat large varicose veins. A painful segment of a superficial vein containing a palpable intravascular blood clot may be treated by puncture incision with an 18-gauge needle and evacuation of the clot under local anesthesia.
With septic disorder, appropriate antibiotics should be given. If suppurative thrombophlebitis is indicated, immediate and complete excision of all of the affected veins is indicated. The wound may be left open for drainage of pus. TABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Superficial ThrombophlebitisCh...