In thrombophlebitis (synonyms: Acute thrombophlebitis; leg phlebitis; leg phlebothrombosis; leg thrombophlebitis; thoracic phlebitis; chronic phlebitis; chronic thrombophlebitis; purulent phlebitis; superficial phlebitis of the thigh; superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity; superficial thrombophlebitis of the leg; superficial thrombophlebitis of the thigh; superficial thrombophlebitis of the lower leg; superficial thrombosis of the thigh; superficial thrombosis of the lower leg; superficial thrombotic phlebitis of the lower extremity; superficial ulcerative phlebitis of the leg; superficial phlebitis of the lower leg; superficial phlebitis; superficial venous thrombosis of a non-varicose vein; phlebitis of the thigh; Periphlebitis; lower extremity phlebitis; saphenous vein phlebitis; thrombophlebitis; lower extremity thrombophlebitis; thrombophlebitis of the thigh; thrombophlebitis of the lower leg; thrombophlebitis femoralis; deep ulcerative phlebitis of the leg; deep phlebitis of the leg; deep phlebitis of the thigh; deep phlebitis of the lower leg; deep-seated thrombophlebitis of the thigh; deep-seated thrombophlebitis of the lower leg; ulcerative phlebitis of the leg; ulcerative phlebitis; phlebitis of the lower leg; phlebothrombosis of the lower leg; ICD-10 I80) is a phlebitis (inflammation of the veins) of superficial veins that leads to thrombosis (occlusion of the vein) (= superficial venous thrombosis, OVT). Superficial venous thrombosis is nowadays included in the spectrum of venous thromboembolism! The veins of the arms are frequently affected, as is the saphenous vein of the leg. According to ICD-10, the following forms of thrombophlebitis can be distinguished:
- Thrombophlebitis of the lower extremity.
- Thrombophlebitis of the femoral vein (vein of the thigh)
- Thrombophlebitis of other deep vessels of the lower extremity.
- Thrombophlebitis of other localizations
- Thrombophlebitis of unspecified localizations
Furthermore, thrombophlebitis can be divided as follows:
- Varicophlebitis (= OVT of a varicose vein) ((66-)91 %).
- Thrombophlebitis vulgaris superficialis (8.5 %)
- Thrombophlebitis saltans /migrans (1.8%)
- Superficial sclerosing phlebitis (Mondor’s disease, stranded phlebitis) (0.35%)
Frequently, thrombophlebitis occurs in prolonged intravenous cannulae or varicose (varicose) changes in the vein. In one study, 22% of patients with varicose veins were diagnosed with acute thrombophlebitis or thrombophlebitis (= varicophlebitis) that had passed through. Gender ratio: males to females is 1: 2. Peak incidence: the disease occurs predominantly after the age of 60. The prevalence (disease incidence) is 2.7-17% in women and 1-7.4% in men. The estimated incidence (frequency of new cases) for thrombophlebitis is approximately 3-11% (of which approximately 80% are women). Course and prognosis: Superficial thrombophlebitis is usually benign. If left untreated, thrombophlebitis may extend proximally (“closer to the center of the body”) or distally (“further from the center of the body”). A possible complication is bacterial colonization of the affected vein, resulting in an abscess (encapsulated collection of pus) and, in rare cases, sepsis (septic phlebitis). Thrombophlebitis, especially in nonvariceal varices, may indicate malignancy (cancer) or thrombophilia (predisposition to thrombosis). In the presence of thrombophlebitis, the concomitant presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT, predominantly distal; 6-25-36%) or asymptomatic pulmonary embolism (2-5-13%; confirmed by systematic lung scans) must also be considered. Note: Superficial venous thrombosis is now included in the spectrum of venous thromboembolism. Thrombophlebitis is considered a phlebological emergency! The 3-month mortality (number of deaths within three months, based on the number of the population concerned) is about 1% for thrombophlebitis (for DVT: 5%). For symptomatic pulmonary embolism, mortality in the presence of thrombophlebitis is approximately 2-4% (for DVT: 15%).
