Superficial thrombophlebitis (superficial venous thrombosis)

#### The bottom line Superficial thrombophlebitis (increasingly being called superficial venous thrombosis) is inflammation of the superficial veins associated with venous thrombosis. Traditionally, it has been considered a benign, self limiting disease of the lower extremity. However, it can affect most superficial venous systems in the body and importantly can be associated with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Treatment is aimed at symptomatic control and prevention of these serious and potentially fatal complications. Treatment options are variable and controversial. The incidence of superficial thrombophlebitis remains unclear but is thought to be higher than that of deep vein thrombosis, which is estimated at about one per 1000.1 Although age is not an independent risk factor, the incidences of other risk factors increase with age, making superficial thrombophlebitis more common in older people, and more common in women (50–70%).2 3 4 However, complications are less likely in those over 60 years old.5 Superficial thrombophlebitis is a clinical diagnosis. Patients usually present with pain and discoloration (redness in the acute phase progressing to a brown, haemosiderin based pigmentation over days to weeks) over the affected superficial veins (fig 1⇓). On palpation, the vein is tender and hard. Extensive limb swelling should raise the suspicion of deep vein thrombosis rather than superficial thrombophlebitis. Fig 1 Typical superficial thrombophlebitis within …