Phlebitis is characterised as a localised inflammation of a varicose vein when the flowing blood within this vein has thrombosed. It is clinically apparent as a hard indurated cord, tender to touch, with evidence of surrounding inflammation. It is part of the condition of superficial vein thrombosis. Duplex ultrasound is mandatory to screen for a concurrent DVT. The immediate treatment is usually anticoagulation to prevent a deep vein thrombosis with graduated elastic compression stockings. Intervention may be required at a later stage to ablate the varicose veins.
EVI KALODIKI Phlebitis is a term which should be discouraged for 2 reasons. Firstly, the word suggests inflammation as the main pathology which may encourage treatment with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents rather than focusing on the correct treatment of prophylactic/therapeutic anticoagulation. Secondly, the preferred term superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) should be encouraged because it may help clinicians to think of DVT and monitor appropriately using duplex ultrasound.
Chemical phlebitis manifest as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) following foam sclerotherapy