What are the symptoms of superficial phlebitis? Many patients seek medical treatment in hospitals due to the appearance of symptoms of superficial phlebitis. Experts warn that the symptoms of superficial phlebitis are used as criteria to determine whether a patient is ill. Therefore, once symptoms of superficial phlebitis appear, patients should not take them lightly and should promptly seek medical treatment at a hospital. Below, we will invite experts from the Shanxi Yikang Peripheral Vasculitis Hospital to introduce the symptoms of superficial phlebitis.
Superficial thrombophlebitis is a common type of thrombophlebitis. Clinically, it is often divided into two types: superficial benign thrombophlebitis and migratory thrombophlebitis. The main difference between them, apart from the cause, is that the former often affects one vein and continues to develop upward; whereas the latter has no fixed pattern, with one or several veins being affected simultaneously or successively, causing repeated episodes.
(1) Superficial Benign Thrombophlebitis: Superficial benign thrombophlebitis can be categorized based on its cause; for instance, chemical stimulation caused by intravenous injections of sclerosing agents, hyperosmotic solutions, or anticancer drugs on the intima leads to widespread damage, resulting in phlebitis and subsequent thrombus formation, known as chemical phlebitis. Mechanical injuries such as intravenous injections, prolonged insertion of plastic catheters, trauma, or sprains lead to localized phlebitis called traumatic phlebitis.
Superficial benign thrombophlebitis commonly occurs in the great saphenous vein and its branches in the lower limbs and veins in the upper limbs, usually limited to one vein but may progress towards the proximal end and larger branches when severe. During acute episodes, painful and tender subcutaneous cords along the affected vein can be palpated. These may present as segmentally distributed oval nodules. When surrounding tissues are involved, perivenous inflammation occurs, leading to redness and warmth in adjacent skin, which may move with the skin.
After onset, mild systemic symptoms may occur, but white blood cell counts generally do not rise. Upon recovery, pain subsides, redness and swelling decrease, leaving pigmented spots or subcutaneous cords. When collateral circulation is established and re-canalization occurs, these cords may gradually disappear. Since this involves superficial veins, blood return is generally unaffected, so limb edema does not occur. However, if deep vein involvement or valve damage occurs, severe tissue edema and chronic venous insufficiency may result.
(2) Migratory Thrombophlebitis: Primarily affects superficial veins, though deep veins in the brain, liver, kidneys, mesentery, and lungs can also be involved. Commonly seen in the lower limbs, buttocks, and abdominal wall. Symptoms include segmental subcutaneous cords or nodules with pain and tenderness. Adjacent skin becomes red and swollen, resolving after 2-4 weeks, leaving pigmented spots, followed by new lesions appearing in another vein or segment. Thus, some areas resolve while others newly appear, resulting in different phases of damage in various locations. The exact cause is unclear, but it is closely related to two diseases:
① Migratory thrombophlebitis is often an early sign of underlying visceral cancer, particularly involving the stomach, lung, pancreas, and gallbladder, with the closest association being pancreatic body and tail cancer.
② Migratory thrombophlebitis has a close relationship with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), serving as an early sign or a clinical stage throughout the disease course. Behcet's disease-related thrombophlebitis might belong to this category, differing in that both deep and superficial veins of varying diameters can be affected, whereas the former mainly affects superficial small and medium veins.
What are the symptoms of superficial phlebitis? The above is a detailed introduction by experts regarding the symptoms of superficial phlebitis, hoping it helps you. For more questions, you can consult online with experts from the Shanxi Yikang Peripheral Vasculitis Hospital. Lastly, wishing you good health.
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