Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis

Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis

Medical Author: Siamak Nabili, MD, MPH
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?
• What causes phlebitis?
• What are the risk factors for phlebitis?
• What are the symptoms of phlebitis?
• How is phlebitis diagnosed?
• How is phlebitis treated?
• What are the complications of phlebitis?
• Can phlebitis be prevented?
• Phlebitis At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Phlebitis

What is phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?

Phlebitis means inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis refers to a blood clot causing the inflammation. Phlebitis can be superficial, in the skin, or deep, in the tissues beneath the skin.

Superficial phlebitis is phlebitis that is in a superficial vein under the surface of the skin. Deep vein thrombophlebitis refers to a blood clot causing phlebitis in the deeper veins. Deep vein thrombophlebitis is also referred to as deep venous thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The presence of superficial phlebitis does not necessary suggest an underlying DVT. Upper extremity (upper limbs) and lower extremities (lower limbs) superficial thrombosis or phlebitis are typically benign conditions and have a favorable prognosis. A blood clot (thrombus) in the saphenous vein may be an exception. This is the large, long vein on the inner side of the legs. Thrombophlebitis in the saphenous vein can sometimes be associated with underlying deep vein thrombophlebitis.

On the other hand, deep vein thrombosis of the upper and lower extremities can be a more serious problem that can lead to a blood clot traveling to the blood vessels of the lungs and resulting in pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can injure lung tissue is serious and occasionally fatal.

What causes phlebitis?

Phlebitis has many causes. Some of the common causes of phlebitis are:

• local trauma or injury to the vein
  
  
• prolonged inactivity, such as, long driving or plane rides
  
  
• insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals, or IV induced phlebitis
  
  
• period after a surgery (post-operative period), especially orthopedic procedures
  
  
• prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients
  
  
• varicose veins
  
  
• underlying cancers or clotting disorders
  
  
• disruption of normal venous system drainage because of removal of lymph nodes, for example, after mastectomy for breast cancer
  
  
• intravenous drug use
  
  
• patients with burns

Phlebitis

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